Let's be real, heading into the November 24th matchup at Chase Center, things felt a bit tense for both the Golden State Warriors and the Utah Jazz. Both squads were riding frustrating losing streaks and dealing with injury reports that looked more like a laundry list of problems. It was one of those games where you knew resilience and depth would matter more than a perfect game plan, a true test of character for two teams trying to find their footing in the tough Western Conference.
Key Highlights
- ✓ The Warriors defeated the Jazz 134-117, snapping a three-game losing streak for both teams.
- ✓ Steph Curry dropped a game-high 31 points, his fifth 30-point game in his last six outings.
- ✓ The Warriors' bench sparked an incredible 18-0 run in the second quarter while Curry was resting.
- ✓ Gary Payton II got a surprise start and recorded a career-high eight assists while locking down Lauri Markkanen.
- ✓ Both teams entered the game heavily impacted by injuries, with key players like Draymond Green and Jonathan Kuminga for the Warriors, and Walker Kessler for the Jazz, sidelined or questionable.
A Battle of Battered Rosters
You could feel the uncertainty before the ball was even tipped. The Warriors were significantly undermanned, and that’s putting it lightly. Jonathan Kuminga was out for his sixth straight game with knee tendonitis, and there’s still no clear timeline for his return. To make matters worse, the heart and soul of their defense, Draymond Green, was listed as questionable with a right midfoot sprain, leaving his status up in the air until the last minute.
As if that wasn't enough, Golden State was also missing Al Horford (sciatic nerve irritation) and De’Anthony Melton, who is sadly out with a torn ACL. This forced Coach Steve Kerr to get creative with his rotations, knowing he’d have to rely on guys like Trayce Jackson-Davis to step up in the frontcourt. With a 9-9 record, the pressure was squarely on Steph Curry’s shoulders to steady the ship.
The Jazz weren't exactly in great shape either. They’re grappling with the massive loss of their starting center, Walker Kessler, who is out for the entire season after shoulder surgery. That’s a huge blow to their rim protection. On top of that, Georges Niang was sidelined with a foot injury. Despite their 5-11 record, the Jazz saw this game as a prime opportunity to capitalize on a wounded Warriors team and snap their own skid.
The Message Was Received Loud and Clear
That first quarter was rough for the home team. The Jazz were on fire, shooting a blistering 61.9% from the field and nailing 7 of their 10 three-point attempts. Utah’s Keyonte George alone had 15 points in the quarter, nearly outscoring the entire Warriors starting lineup combined. You can just imagine the frustration building on the Golden State bench.
Kerr's fiery timeout seemed to be a major turning point. The message was particularly aimed at Brandin Podziemski, who seemed to be caught out of position on one of George's open threes. Whatever Kerr said, it clearly lit a fire under the team. After that disastrous start, the Warriors' defense completely flipped a switch, holding the Jazz to just 4 of 25 from deep for the rest of the game. That’s how you respond to a challenge.
The Unbelievable Run Without Curry
Here’s where the game truly turned on its head. The goal when Steph Curry sits is usually just to survive, to keep the game from getting out of hand. But on this night, the bench did more than just survive—they dominated. The Warriors entered the second quarter down by nine points, 35-26. When Curry checked back in with 7:13 left in the quarter, they were leading 44-35.
That’s right. The second unit went on a massive 18-0 run without their superstar on the floor. Points came from four different players: Moody (eight), Jimmy Butler (four), Quinten Post (three), and Will Richard (three). Those guys, along with Pat Spencer, completely changed the momentum of the game. When Curry came back in, he hit a three to make it a 21-0 run before the Jazz finally scored. It was a spectacular team effort that showed the depth and fight this team has.
Stars and Unsung Heroes Shine Bright
Of course, Steph Curry did his thing, leading all scorers with 31 points on efficient shooting. In a cool side note, the sneaker free agent rocked a pair of Nikes for the first time since 2013—specifically, Sabrina Ionescu's signature shoe, with Sabrina herself in the building. But the story of the night was about more than just Steph's greatness.
The real surprise was Steve Kerr’s decision to start 6-foot-2 Gary Payton II and put him on the 7-foot Lauri Markkanen. It was a bold move, but it paid off beautifully. GP2 did all the little things that make him so valuable—cutting, rebounding, and moving the ball. He even assisted on the Warriors' first three made baskets. He finished the game with 9 points, 6 rebounds, and a career-high 8 assists, all while frustrating Markkanen into a 6-for-15 shooting night.
The scoring was spread around nicely too. Jimmy Butler added an efficient 18 points, and Buddy Hield was a spark off the bench, dropping a season-high 20 points. It was a complete team victory, forged in the face of adversity and sparked by an incredible second-quarter surge.
Quick Hits from Around the League
It was a busy Monday night across the NBA. The Sacramento Kings pulled off an overtime win against the Minnesota Timberwolves, who are clearly going through some things. After the game, a frustrated Rudy Gobert said, "It’s just like we didn’t play super connected... we let the frustration get to us." It’s a feeling many teams can relate to this early in the season.
Meanwhile, the Detroit Pistons are looking like the real deal, matching a franchise record with their 13th consecutive win after beating the Pacers. They now sit atop the Eastern Conference at 15-2. On the other end of the spectrum, teams like the Bulls are struggling, falling to the Pelicans without Nikola Vucevic in the lineup.
Conclusion
In the end, this wasn't just another regular-season win for the Warriors. It was a statement. Facing a tough situation with a depleted roster, they didn't just rely on Steph Curry to bail them out. They dug deep, got huge contributions from unexpected places, and completely flipped the script with that phenomenal second-quarter run. The victory, which pushed them to 10-9 and into the 8th spot in the West, was a powerful reminder that this team's heart and resilience should never be underestimated.
