Lead: In San Francisco on Jan. 3, 2026, Stephen Curry returned from a one-game absence and scored 31 points, including six 3-pointers, to power the Golden State Warriors to a 123-114 victory over the Utah Jazz. The Warriors, back to a fuller rotation after a 37-point loss the night before, overcame late-game discipline issues to hold off a Jazz team missing center Jusuf Nurkic. Lauri Markkanen finished with 35 points for Utah while Keyonte George added 22 points and nine assists. The result halted Golden State’s back-to-back short-handed struggles and extended Utah’s skid to three straight losses.
Key Takeaways
- Stephen Curry finished with 31 points and six 3-pointers, erupting for 20 points in the third quarter and hitting a go-ahead triple with 7:01 left in that period.
- Lauri Markkanen led the Jazz with 35 points, shooting 9-for-12 in the first half and totaling 21 points before halftime.
- Keyonte George contributed 22 points and nine assists; Utah played without Jusuf Nurkic for a second straight game due to a sprained left toe.
- Jimmy Butler returned from illness to post 15 points and seven assists for the Warriors after Golden State was routed 131-94 the previous night.
- Draymond Green was ejected with 2:25 remaining in the second quarter after consecutive technical fouls; he finished with eight points, three rebounds and two assists in 12 minutes.
- The Warriors committed 15 turnovers, which produced 22 Jazz points — an ongoing ball-security concern for Golden State.
- Utah has now lost three straight games and seven of its last nine, jeopardizing momentum in the Western Conference race.
Background
Golden State entered the Jan. 3 game coming off a dramatic, 37-point home loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder the night before, a defeat exacerbated by several regulars missing that contest. The team reinstated key pieces Saturday, including Stephen Curry after a one-game absence for a sprained left ankle and Jimmy Butler after an illness. Those returns were expected to steady the lineup but also raise questions about fatigue after back-to-back travel and heavy minutes for core players.
On the Utah side, the Jazz have been coping with availability issues at center: Jusuf Nurkic sat out his second straight game with a sprained left toe, shifting more offensive and defensive burden onto Lauri Markkanen and Keyonte George. Utah’s current stretch — three losses in a row and seven defeats in nine games — has increased pressure on coach and front office decisions ahead of the trade deadline and playoff push.
Main Event
Curry’s scoring burst proved decisive. He converted six 3-pointers overall and was particularly efficient in the third quarter, making six of seven shots and turning a tight game into a Warriors advantage with consecutive threes midway through the period. Curry’s movement and catch-and-shoot accuracy forced Utah to rotate more help, opening lanes for teammates.
Markkanen was the primary offensive threat for the Jazz, finishing 35 points with a blistering first half (9-of-12) that produced 21 points before intermission. Keyonte George acted as the secondary playmaker, tallying 22 points and nine assists as Utah tried to exploit Washington’s rim protection in Nurkic’s absence.
Draymond Green’s ejection at 2:25 of the second quarter followed back-to-back technical fouls after he argued with officials — reportedly over a non-call in the paint. The dismissal marked Green’s second ejection in four home games and cut short a 12-minute stint that yielded eight points and three rebounds.
Golden State’s 15 turnovers were costly despite the win. Utah converted those miscues into 22 points, keeping the game within reach late and underscoring the Warriors’ need to manage possessions better against higher-caliber opponents.
Analysis & Implications
Golden State’s victory shows the value of having its star players available: Curry’s return immediately improved offensive spacing and scoring efficiency. Yet the team’s turnover rate and Green’s recurring disciplinary issues are tangible threats to consistency, especially in tight Western Conference matchups. If turnovers remain elevated, the Warriors will struggle against elite defenses.
For Utah, Nurkic’s absence shifts the team’s structure. Markkanen’s scoring keeps Utah competitive, but the Jazz lack a consistent interior presence on both ends without Nurkic. That deficiency allows opposing guards and wings to attack the basket and forces Utah into higher-variance offensive possessions that rely on perimeter shooting.
Draymond Green’s ejection fits a pattern that matters beyond a single game. He now has nine technicals this season; the NBA’s automatic one-game suspension triggers at 16. Continued confrontations with officials or bench infractions could result in missed games at a time when Golden State will need depth and leadership down the stretch.
Looking forward, Golden State’s quick turnaround — a visit to the Clippers on Monday — will test the team’s stamina and rotation management. Utah’s trip to Portland that same night provides an opportunity to stop the skid, but the Jazz must find reliable two-way contributions beyond Markkanen to climb back into contention.
Comparison & Data
| Player | Points | 3PT | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stephen Curry (GSW) | 31 | 6 | 20 points in 3rd quarter; returned from one-game absence (sprained left ankle) |
| Lauri Markkanen (UTA) | 35 | — | 9-for-12 in first half (21 points before halftime) |
| Keyonte George (UTA) | 22 | — | Also had nine assists; primary playmaker with Nurkic out |
| Jimmy Butler (GSW) | 15 | — | Returned after illness; seven assists |
| Draymond Green (GSW) | 8 | — | Ejected in 2nd quarter; nine technicals on season |
The table highlights how individual performances shaped the result: Curry’s third-quarter surge separated the teams while Markkanen’s first-half efficiency kept Utah in the game. Turnovers (15 by Golden State) translated into 22 Jazz points, a conversion rate that tempered the margin for the Warriors despite their star scoring output.
Reactions & Quotes
Coach Steve Kerr stressed the importance of discipline and ball control after the game, noting those areas will be a focus in practice.
Steve Kerr, Golden State Warriors (as reported by ESPN)
Utah coach remarks, as relayed by game coverage, emphasized Markkanen’s scoring responsibility and the team’s need to adapt without Nurkic.
Utah Jazz staff comments (as reported by ESPN)
Postgame coverage noted that teammates and staff addressed Draymond Green’s ejection internally and that both Green and the coaching staff had previously apologized for related incidents this season.
Team sources / game reports (ESPN/AP)
Unconfirmed
- Whether the Warriors will impose additional internal discipline on Draymond Green beyond league procedures has not been publicly confirmed.
- The precise timeline for Jusuf Nurkic’s return remains unclear; the team has only listed him out with a sprained left toe without a firm recovery date.
Bottom Line
The Jan. 3 victory showed Golden State’s upside when Stephen Curry is on the floor: elite shooting and third-quarter scoring bursts can overcome short-term adversity. However, recurring turnover problems and Green’s disciplinary pattern are immediate issues that could undermine the team in tighter contests and long-term stretches.
For Utah, the game reinforced reliance on Lauri Markkanen to produce offensively; without Nurkic’s interior presence, the Jazz need complementary two-way contributions to halt their slide. Both teams face important, quick-turnaround matchups Monday that will clarify whether Saturday’s performances were corrective steps or warning signs.
Sources
- ESPN recap — (sports journalism, game recap)
- The Associated Press – NBA — (news agency coverage of NBA games and summaries)