In an exhilarating comeback, Stephen Curry returned from a one-game hiatus and ignited the Golden State Warriors to a 123-114 victory over the Utah Jazz. Curry showcased his shooting prowess by scoring 31 points, including six three-pointers, a performance that was especially welcome after the Warriors faced a tough loss against the Oklahoma City Thunder the previous night, where they were defeated by 37 points while shorthanded.
Curry's impact was particularly felt in the third quarter, where he exploded for 20 points, hitting six of his seven attempts. He made a pivotal three-pointer that put his team ahead with just over seven minutes left in that period, followed by another key shot on the next possession.
On the opposing side, Lauri Markkanen stood out for the Jazz, making an impressive 9 of 12 shots in the first half and finishing the game with a total of 35 points. Keyonte George also contributed significantly with 22 points and nine assists. However, the Jazz were missing Jusuf Nurkic, who sat out for the second consecutive game due to a sprained toe on his left foot. This defeat marked Utah's third straight loss and seventh in their last nine games.
Curry's return from a sprained left ankle was crucial for the Warriors, and Jimmy Butler, who had been sidelined due to illness, added 15 points and seven assists to the team's efforts. Meanwhile, Draymond Green, who had rested during the previous game, found himself ejected late in the second quarter following two technical fouls after expressing his frustrations to the officials. Green felt there should have been a 3-second violation called, marking the second time in four home games that he has been ejected.
Adding to the drama, Green had a heated exchange with head coach Steve Kerr during a timeout on December 22 against Orlando and subsequently left the bench to cool off in the locker room. Both parties later reconciled their differences. As it stands, Green has accumulated nine technical fouls this season, and should he reach 16, he would face an automatic one-game suspension. In this particular game, he managed to contribute eight points, three rebounds, and two assists in just 12 minutes of play.
Despite the victory, the Warriors will need to address their tendency to turn the ball over, having committed 15 turnovers that allowed the Jazz to score 22 points off those mistakes—a concern that has been highlighted repeatedly.
Looking ahead, the Jazz are set to face the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday night, while the Warriors will visit the Los Angeles Clippers on the same evening.
