Utah Jazz Go Cold Late In Loss To Warriors

Lauri Markkanen scored 35 points to lead the Jazz, while Steph Curry added 31 to carry the Warriors.

After shooting extremely well through the first 36 minutes, the Jazz entered the fourth quarter unable to find the bottom of the basket.

Over the opening three quarters, the Jazz converted nearly 61 percent of their field‑goal attempts, including an 11‑23 mark from three‑point range.

“Offensively, I continue to be really pleased with our team,” Jazz coach Will Hardy said. “62 points in the paint — we’re moving the ball really well.”

Despite that strong start, the Jazz lost their rhythm in the final 12 minutes at Golden State, connecting on just 6‑22 from the field in the fourth quarter.

Keyonte George struggled the most, missing all five of his attempts after opening the game 7‑13.

QB1 @MarkkanenLauri 🎯🏈 pic.twitter.com/DT4BHrZyYv

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 4, 2026

George closed the night with 22 points and nine assists while shooting 7‑18 overall and 4‑9 from deep, but he scored only two points in the fourth quarter and finished with seven turnovers.

Markkanen also cooled late, shooting 2‑6 after knocking down 13 of his first 21 attempts.

Although Jimmy Butler, De’Anthony Melton, and Gary Payton II delivered strong defensive efforts to disrupt the Jazz’s top scorers, Utah also missed several clean looks, especially from the perimeter.

The Jazz shot just 2‑12 from three in the final period, including a combined 1‑8 from their starters.

Bench Struggled To Keep Pace With Lack Of Depth

With Jusuf Nurkic and Ace Bailey sidelined by lingering foot and hip injuries, the Jazz’s limited depth made it difficult to match the Warriors’ superior second unit.

Even after Draymond Green was ejected midway through the first half for arguing a non‑call on a three‑second violation, the Warriors’ reserves outperformed the Jazz.

Utah’s bench shot an efficient 12‑21 but was still outscored 46‑30 by Golden State’s experienced group.

Isaiah Collier and Walt Clayton each contributed eight points, while Kyle Filipowski and Cody Williams combined for 13. However, Taylor Hendricks managed only one point and did not attempt a field goal in 13 minutes.

CODY WILLIAMS WITH ONE FOR THE WALL 🚨😱 pic.twitter.com/ACqhfqc2po

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 4, 2026

Melton and Payton II gave the Warriors significant two‑way production, combining for 23 points and applying steady pressure on George.

Trayce Jackson‑Davis added nine points and six rebounds, four of them on the offensive glass.

“We struggled in certain moments to rebound, and that’s something we can continue to clean up,” Hardy said. “I thought we needed to be more physical on the baseline, in particular, finding cutters who are going to rebound.”

Without Nurkic, the Jazz were outrebounded 45‑37 and lost the second‑chance‑points battle 18‑9.