LeBron James Klay Thompson
LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers is defended by Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors during Game Three of the 2018 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 6, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

After the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Golden State Warriors in the 2016 NBA Finals, there were countless jokes made about the blown 3-1 series lead that allowed LeBron James and Co. to bring the franchise its first-ever title. Those jokes even extended to James’ Halloween that year, which featured decorations and food that mocked Golden State’s collapse.

Cleveland didn’t have much success against Golden State after that title. The Warriors signed Kevin Durant in the summer of 2016 before winning two straight titles. Golden State defeated Cleveland in five games in the 2017 NBA Finals, and they swept the Cavs a season ago.

The Warriors will return to Cleveland Wednesday night for the first time since clinching their third championship in four years on the Cavs’ home floor. The rivalry might not be the same now that James is a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, but Golden State is certainly glad they got the chance to pay back Cleveland for what happened two years ago.

“Oh, yeah. Ha!” Warriors' guard Klay Thompson told The Athletic when reminded about infamous Halloween party. “That was funny. Look how that turned out. Pssh. Bums. That was crazy. I forgot about that. Well, look at what pettiness gets you. Gets you 1-8 in the Finals. Idiots.”

James and Cleveland did take their share of shots at the Warriors in 2016, though the Halloween party might not have been one of them. Former Cavs' player Dahntay Jones told ESPN’s Ryen Russillo that a catering company put together the Halloween decorations, not James or any members of the team.

Golden State has struggled at times this season, dealing with injuries to Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, in addition to a confrontation between Green and Durant that led to a suspension. Curry is back on the court, and the Warriors are a game out of first place in the Western Conference.

The Cavaliers have barely been competitive since James left. Cleveland is a half-game ahead of the Chicago Bulls and Atlanta Hawks, who are tied for the worst record in the Eastern Conference.

The Warriors are 10 games ahead of the Cavs in the overall NBA standings.

Basketball