Jazz Come Up Short In Comeback Against Warriors

SAN FRANCISCO, California – A fast start and late charge weren’t enough for the Utah Jazz in their seventh-straight loss, falling 114-103 to the Warriors.

The Jazz (10-34) traveled west for a matchup with Golden State (22-23) at Chase Center on Tuesday, January 28. Tip-off is at 8 p.m. MT.

Gameday in the Bay 🌉

⏰ 8:00PM MT
📺 KJZZ | JAZZ+
📻 @kslsportszone#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/DIkTD69vKy

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 28, 2025

The Jazz are last in the West, barreling headlong into a rebuild. Only the lowly Washington Wizards (6-39) are worse. The lack of veterans beyond Lauri Markkanen, Collin Sexton, and John Collins/Jordan Clarkson (when healthy) forces Will Hardy to rely on one of the youngest rotations in the league.

Second-year guard Keyonte George was recently relegated to a bench role as Hardy sought more defensive intensity individually and with the team. George’s demotion opened the door for rookie point guard prospect Isaiah Collier. Collier has been steady in a more prominent role, but neither guard has the experience.

Utah Jazz guard Isaiah Collier (13) and Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George (3) shake hands as the Jazz and Charlotte play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025. Hornets won 117-112. (Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)

Third-year center Walker Kessler has taken an enormous step on both ends, proving himself worthy of a starting center job in the NBA. Second-year forward Brice Sensabaugh shows flashes of potential as a high-scoring sixth man, earning at least additional minutes. Rookies Kyle Filipowski and Cody Williams continue developing, but both are likely years away from being regular contributors, if ever.

All factors combined make late-game, clutch situations a constant learning experience for Hardy’s team.

Struggling Warriors Host Tanking Jazz

Golden State is a far cry from the championship heyday of Steph Curry and Draymond Green. Though the all-star duo is doing its best to stay relevant, the Warrior’s supporting cast has been inconsistent, at best, this season.

The four-time champs sit 11th in the West, 1.5 games behind Sacramento for the final play-in spot. Rumors surround the once-stable franchise as a ‘two-timeline’ theory designed to rebuild around an aging core with young, explosive talent has shown cracks.

2021 lottery picks Jonathan Kuminga (seventh overall) and Moses Moody (14th overall) have failed to take the next step, leaving the offense lacking behind Curry. Kuminga (16.8 points, five rebounds) and Moody (8.5 points, two rebounds) have been the focus of trade rumors, but injuries and looming extensions have scared off many suitors.

Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates a three point basket in the third quarter against the Boston Celtics during Game Four of the 2022 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 10, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Golden State has battled to remain on the playoff periphery, falling middle of the pack on both ends. The Warriors’ 112.2 offensive rating (18th) and 112.4 (11th) defensive rating rank them 15th in the league.

Injuries will keep Green and Kuminga out tonight, leaving a team centered around whatever it can get from Steph Curry.

The ten-time All-NBA performer averages 22.3 points and 6.4 assists, shooting 44 percent from the field and 40.3 percent from deep.

Pregame

💫 @keyonte1george = 2x Rising Star 💫 pic.twitter.com/cMbpHhBMOs

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 28, 2025

Jazz Injury Report:

OUT – Jordan Clarkson (left plantar fasciitis – injury management)

OUT – John Collins (illness)

OUT – Taylor Hendricks (right fibula fracture)

OUT – Johnny Juzang (right hand fracture)

OUT – Walker Kessler (left shoulder contusion)

OUT – Lauri Markkanen…

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 28, 2025

first start of the season for @bricepsensa 🤩#StartingLineup presented by @ZionsBank pic.twitter.com/smb82YUG3w

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 29, 2025

LISTEN LIVE: @utahjazz is on the wrong for a quick trip to face the @warriors on the @kslsports app, @KSLSportsZone and:https://t.co/z8AMd3giJG pic.twitter.com/gNJtVgRPOE

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 29, 2025

First Quarter

The @utahjazz have jumped out to a quick 17-7 lead over the @warriors behind Micah Potter's 8 first quarter points.

Jazz are shooting 7-9 from the floor. #takenote pic.twitter.com/9v1yliU4Dc

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 29, 2025

.@utahjazz and @warriors throwing haymakersearly https://t.co/Qb1EeboZ7U

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 29, 2025

Isaiah Collier closes the 1Q on a high note!

Uses the handle + footwork to float it in 💧 pic.twitter.com/vvIg34cJHm

— NBA (@NBA) January 29, 2025

Isaiah Collier gets a layup to fall at the buzzer, and the @utahjazz and @warriors are tied at 27.

Jazz led by as many as 10 early but they struggled to close the quarter. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/T4UmP97h4a

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 29, 2025

Second Quarter

All @warriors here in the second quarter as the @utahjazz find themselves trailing 38-27.

Warriors are on a 31-10 run over the last 12 minutes. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/3Xci7R5jMl

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 29, 2025

Eublocks in the Bay >>> pic.twitter.com/a8Cux1fooJ

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 29, 2025

The @utahjazz trail the @warriors 62-51 at the break.

Collin Sexton has 20 points to lead the Jazz on an efficient 9-12 shooting, but it's been tough sledding. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/oZey5Ek6ur

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 29, 2025

Third Quarter

picking up right where he left off in the first half 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Uo5sG5ToZx

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 29, 2025

The @utahjazz continue to hang around, trailing the @warriors 75-64 midway through the third period.

Jazz starters played well early, but the second unit wasn't able to maintain the lead. We'll see if they find another gear here. #takenotepic.twitter.com/TEGoTtrPN6

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 29, 2025

tough buckets are just another day at the office for the (two-time) rising star ⭐️⭐️#TakeNote | @keyonte1george pic.twitter.com/TPwi2AC0Va

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 29, 2025

Through three the @utahjazz trail the @warriors 92-83.

Isaiah Collier came alive in the third quarter recording six points, three assists, and two rebounds on 3-3 shooting.#takenotepic.twitter.com/kcVF7UwVio

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 29, 2025

tuck the kids in and 𝙗𝙪𝙘𝙠𝙡𝙚 𝙪𝙥! pic.twitter.com/YxAm53J3Xx

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 29, 2025

Fourth Quarter

Through three the @utahjazz trail the @warriors 92-83.

Isaiah Collier came alive in the third quarter recording six points, three assists, and two rebounds on 3-3 shooting.#takenotepic.twitter.com/kcVF7UwVio

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 29, 2025

Jazz making a late charge against Golden Statehttps://t.co/LK90cTCnKh

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 29, 2025

Collin three counter: 𓄀𓄀𓄀𓄀 pic.twitter.com/pWYfCKU0sP

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 29, 2025

The @utahjazz have closed the @warriors lead to as little as one, but haven't been able to get over the hump.

Jazz down 108-101 with 4:16 left on the road. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/nhlsgbb7CR

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 29, 2025

The @utahjazz drop their seventh straight game after falling to the @warriors 114-103.

Collin Sexton matches his season high with 30, but it wasn't enough.
#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/NtjSECG06o

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 29, 2025

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Follow the Utah Jazz with KSL Sports

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. 

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Brian Preece is a sports.ksl.com insider covering Locals in MLB and Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s Bees and Beehive baseball coverage here.