Warriors 123-114 Jazz (Jan 3, 2026) Game Recap - ESPN
SAN FRANCISCO -- Picture this: a team reeling from a humiliating defeat turns it around in spectacular fashion. That's exactly what the Golden State Warriors did, bouncing back from a 37-point drubbing by the Thunder just 24 hours earlier to defeat the Utah Jazz 123-114. They did it with their full lineup back in action on this Saturday showdown, showcasing resilience that fans love to see. But here's where it gets controversial: was this a sign of true grit, or just the Jazz struggling without key players? Stick around to dive deeper.
Stephen Curry, the sharpshooting legend, lit up the scoreboard with 31 points, including six successful three-point shots. His performance was pivotal in guiding the Warriors to victory after playing shorthanded the night before.
Curry was on fire in the third quarter, racking up 20 points on an efficient six-of-seven shooting clip. He nailed a crucial three-pointer to take the lead with 7:01 remaining in that period, followed by another on the very next possession.
On the Jazz side, Lauri Markkanen displayed his scoring prowess, going 9-for-12 from the field in the first half alone, amassing 21 of his game-high 35 points. Guard Keyonte George contributed 22 points and nine assists, stepping up for a Jazz squad dealing with the absence of center Jusuf Nurkic for the second consecutive game due to a sprained toe on his left foot. Utah's recent form has been shaky, with three straight losses and seven defeats in their last nine outings.
Curry was making his return after sitting out one game with a sprained left ankle, while Jimmy Butler added 15 points and seven assists following his own absence due to illness in the lopsided 131-94 setback to the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder.
Veteran Draymond Green, who had taken a rest the previous night, was back on the court but found himself ejected once more with 2:25 left in the second quarter after picking up two technical fouls in quick succession for disputing calls with the referees.
Green seemed convinced that a three-second violation should have been called, leading to his dismissal—this marks his second ejection in his last four home appearances.
And this is the part most people miss: During this challenging stretch, Green walked off the bench in the middle of a heated argument with head coach Steve Kerr during a third-quarter timeout on December 22 against Orlando, then retreated to the locker room independently to regain his composure. Both men later issued apologies, showing a glimpse of the emotional dynamics at play. Green has accumulated nine technical fouls this season and faces an automatic one-game suspension if he hits 16. In this game, he managed eight points, three rebounds, and two assists in just 12 minutes.
The Warriors will likely be frustrated by their 15 turnovers, which resulted in 22 points for the Jazz. Protecting the ball has been a recurring emphasis in their strategy.
Looking ahead:
Jazz: They travel to Portland for a Monday night match.
Warriors: They'll visit the Clippers on Monday.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA (https://apnews.com/hub/nba)
What do you think about Draymond Green's repeated ejections and his interactions with coaches and refs? Is this a personality trait that adds flair to the game, or does it risk undermining team success? Do you side with the Warriors' resilience or question the Jazz's misfortunes? Share your opinions in the comments below—let's debate!
