Svi Mikhailiuk, Walker Kessler Combine For Dunk

Feb 5, 2025, 9:23 PM | Updated: Feb 13, 2025, 4:31 pm

Digital Sports Producer

SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz and Golden State Warriors are locked in a fight, with time winding down in an exciting game. Jazz guard Svi Mikhailiuk helped end an 11-0 Warriors run when he executed a perfectly placed lob pass to Walker Kessler for the dunk over a defender.

The Jazz (11-37) are hosting Golden State (25-24) at Delta Center on Wednesday, February 5. While Utah is on track for their tank with the worst record in the West, the once-proud Warriors cling to the final play-in spot. If the playoffs started today, the Warriors would face Phoenix in a first-round play-in game.

that's one for wall 🤩🖼️ pic.twitter.com/hDIq2IWkIw

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) February 6, 2025

Trailing by seven, Mikhailiuk got by Branod Podziemski and into the paint. After drawing the eyes of Kevon Looney, the Kansas product lofted a pass to Kessler for an emphatic slam.

Podziemski leads all scorers with 29 points. Steph Curry has 26 points and six threes. Jordan Clarkson leads six Jazzmen in double-figures with 23 points.

The Warriors have put on the gas in the final period. Golden State has outscored the Jazz by seven in the period and holds a 117-110 lead.

Jazz host Warriors as NBA trade deadline looms

Utah has been busy, shipping out Drew Eubanks and Patty Mills while bringing in Jalen Hood-Schifino, PJ Tucker, a first-round pick, and multiple seconds. Despite the flurry of recent activity, numerous reports around the league see the Jazz remaining active as the Thursday, February 6, 1 p.m. MT trade deadline approaches.

Jordan Clarkson, John Collins, Collin Sexton, and others have been rumored targets as teams gear up for the playoff push. With the focus squarely on development and learning about its young core, Utah’s front office is expected to focus on long-term additions and draft compensation as the team builds for the future.

Tonight's matchup between the @utahjazz and the @warriors has taken a backseat to trade rumors between Kevin Durant and Golden State. #TakeNote https://t.co/j3gmxSaeUv

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 5, 2025

Conversely, Golden State wants to squeeze everything possible out of the Steph Curry era. With the future Hall of Famer still playing at a high level, the Warriors have been linked to names like Jimmy Butler, the already traded Zach LaVine, and former Bay Area star Kevin Durant, among others.

The Warriors enter the night on tenuous ground, holding on to the final play-in spot in a loaded Western Conference. With the new-look Dallas Mavericks and all-star De’Aaron Fox in the fold for the San Antonio Spurs, Golden State must make significant changes to improve its playoff odds.

RELATED: ESPN Dumps Jazz Vs. Suns Broadcast On Friday

The Jazz have been competitive despite dropping 12 of their past 14 games. Utah’s defense has been a struggle, especially at the basket with Walker Kessler off the floor. Utah’s 119 defensive rating is 29th in the league. The Jazz haven’t been much better offensively, sputtering to a 111.8 offensive rating, 22nd in the NBA.

Golden State has the ninth-best defense but has looked uncharacteristically out of sorts on the other end. The once-vaunted Warriors offense is 20th in the league with a 112.1 offensive rating.

Jazz-Magic Gameday Reading

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Tonight’s game against the Warriors is being televised on KJZZ, streamed on SEG+, and heard on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone.

Ben Anderson is the Utah Jazz insider for KSL Sports and the co-host of Jake and Ben from 10-12p with Jake Scott on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. Find Ben on Twitter at @BensHoops, on Instagram @BensHoops, or on BlueSky.

Find sports.ksl.com coverage of the Utah Jazz here.

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Brian Preece is a sports.ksl.com insider covering Locals in MLB and the Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s Bees and Beehive baseball here. Find Brian on X and Instagram at @bpreece24.