Definition of Gentleman's Sweep

What does the term "gentleman's sweep" mean in the world of sports? What is meant by the term "gentleman's sweep"?

In sports, a "gentleman's sweep" occurs when a team wins a series by a score of 4-1.

The winning team is said to have allowed their opponent to win one game as a "courtesy", usually in front of a losing team's home crowd.

For instance, the Golden State Warriors defeated the Dallas Mavericks 4-1 in the NBA Western Conference Finals in 2022.

The Warriors were clearly the better team in the series, as they easily beat the Mavericks in most of the contests.

The Mavericks, however, were able to win one game in front of their home crowd, which is why people say that the Warriors completed a "gentleman's sweep".

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A "gentleman's sweep" is the same concept as a "courtesy game" in tennis, where a really good player will "allow" their opponent to win a game in each set in order to avoid embarrassment.