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Golden State Warriors prepare for tough battle against the Utah Jazz

By William Spencer

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 25: Jordan Poole #3 of the Golden State Warriors drives to the basket on Talen Horton-Tucker #0 of the Utah Jazz during the first quarter at Chase Center on November 25, 2022 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 25: Jordan Poole #3 of the Golden State Warriors drives to the basket on Talen Horton-Tucker #0 of the Utah Jazz during the first quarter at Chase Center on November 25, 2022 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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With Myles Turner, Tyrese Haliburton and Chris Duarte all in street clothes, the Golden State Warriors thought Monday’s game against the Indiana Pacers would be a walk in the park.

However, the undermanned Pacers would mug the hosts from the first quarter thanks to 65% shooting and what would result in a career-best game from Andrew Nembhard who tallied 31 points.

Klay Thompson led the Warriors with 28 while Jordan Poole had 23 in a starting role. Donte DiVincenzo and Jonathan Kuminga each reached double figures off the bench, but it couldn’t prevent a disappointing 112 -104 loss as Stephen Curry’s poor shooting night (12 points) aided in breaking Golden State’s ten-game home winning-streak.

The Golden State Warriors will take the road for a contest with the Utah Jazz, before returning home for a curtain call of the 2022 NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics.

Following matchups with the Jazz and Celtics, the Warriors will take the road again for their annual extended trip to the East Coast before returning home for a Christmas Day game with the Memphis Grizzlies. The Dubs’ next eight games will be critical to their season, with seven to be played away from home.

However, they can’t look any further than the Jazz. Danny Ainge has been hard at work in beginning a rebuild over the offseason, but you would never know it given their 14-12 record. Utah is second in the NorthWest, just a game behind the Denver Nuggets.

Lauri Markkanen guards Andrew Wiggins in the first meeting between the Golden State Warriors and Utah Jazz. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Lauri Markkanen guards Andrew Wiggins in the first meeting between the Golden State Warriors and Utah Jazz. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

When the Jazz shipped Donovan Mitchell to the Cleveland Cavaliers and Rudy Gobert to the Minnesota Timberwolves, the speculation was they were tanking for a spot in the Victor Wembanyama sweepstakes. Twenty-six games into the season and somebody forgot to read the memo.

A Utah native, lifelong Jazz fan, and now the new owner of the Utah Jazz, 42-year-old tech billionaire Ryan Smith hired Danny Ainge off a Bahamian golf course to join minority owner Dwyane Wade, general manager Justin Zanik and coach Quin Snyder in a quest for the franchise’s first Larry O’Brien Trophy. That seemingly took a backstep in the offseason though given all those player transactions and the departure of Snyder after a long tenure.

Yet, new head coach Will Hardy has found a unique chemistry where each and every player is buying into their role. Utah still maintain the third-best offense in the league, owed largely to the revitalisation of Lauri Markkanen at his new team. The Warriors felt the Jazz’ explosive capabilities when they put up 118 points in their first meeting on November 25, though they also exploited defensive weaknesses as Golden State’s 129 points ensured a double-digit win.

Wednesday’s matchup will be a tougher task as the Warriors prepare to do battle without perhaps their three best players — Curry, Andrew Wiggins and Draymond Green. They’ve recalled James Wiseman from the G League in what shapes as a major tipping point for the former number two overall pick.

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The visit to Vivint Arena will be a challenging road test for the undermanned Warriors who’ve struggled away from Chase Center so far this season. Ainge has assembled a roster of cap-friendly veteran role players led by Jordan Clarkson and Mike Conley, and this matchup appears a crucial game for the direction of Golden State’s younger players.

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