Warriors vs. Jazz game preview: Will Golden State stars return?

Warriors vs. Jazz game preview: Will Golden State stars return?

TheGolden State Warriorshost theUtah Jazzin the second night of back-to-back at 7 p.m. PT (10 p.m. ET) Saturday, Jan. 3 at the Chase Center in San Francisco, California.

The Warriors look to shake off their Friday nightblowout loss to the Oklahoma City Thunderwithout their stars. The Jazz are also coming off a 118-101 loss on New Year's Day to theLos Angeles Clippers.

Golden State (18-17) was without Stephen Curry (ankle), Jimmy Butler (sick) Draymond Green (rest) and De'Anthony Melton (knee) on Jan. 2 and Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said after the Thunder loss that he was hopeful for their return Saturday against Utah.

"I hope so, yeah. We'll see with Jimmy (Butler III), he's at home, sick," Kerr told reporters. "Draymond (Green) definitely will be back, and hopefully Steph (Curry) will be back as well."

In the Warriors' previous meeting with the Jazz, they were dominant in beating Utah 134-117 on Nov. 24 behind 31 points from Curry on made six 3-pointers. Butler had 18 points, seven assists and six rebounds in that game.

Here's what you need to know ahead of Saturday's matchup between the Warriors and Jazz:

Oct. 26: The Dallas Mavericks' Cooper Flagg dunks the ball past the Toronto Raptors' Sandro Mamukelashvili at the American Airlines Center. Oct. 26: The Washington Wizards' Cam Whitmore dunks the ball against the Charlotte Hornets at Capital One Arena. <p style=Oct. 26: The Brooklyn Nets' Michael Porter Jr. dunks in front of the San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama at Frost Bank Center.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Oct. 25: The Denver Nuggets' Christian Braun dunks the ball against the Phoenix Suns' Grayson Allen at Ball Arena. Oct. 24: The Memphis Grizzlies' Jaren Jackson Jr. dunks against the Miami Heat at FedExForum. Oct. 24: The Miami Heat's Bam Adebayo dunks over the Memphis Grizzlies' Jaren Jackson Jr. at FedExForum. Oct. 22: The New York Knicks' OG Anunoby goes up for a reverse dunk against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Madison Square Garden. Oct. 22: The Utah Jazz's Lauri Markkanen dunks against the Los Angeles Clippers at Delta Center.

Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents

Golden State Warriors:Fall to Thunder, Shai Gilgeous-Alexanders drops 30 with Dubs stars out

How to watch Jazz vs. Warriors: TV channel, live stream

  • Start time: 10 p.m. ET (7 p.m. PT)

  • Location: Chase Center (San Francisco, California)

  • TV Channel: NBC Sports Bay Area; NBA League Pass

  • Live Stream: NBA League Pass; Fubo

Warriors injury report

The Warriors were without their veteran leaders Stephen Curry (left ankle sprain), Jimmy Butler (illness) and Draymond Green (rest), in their game against the Thunder.

Kerr said Green will definitely play. Butler could return Saturday as he's listed as questionable, as is Curry.

Seth Curry remains out with left sciatic nerve irritation.

Kerr said center Al Horford will be out for tonight's game following their Friday loss. He's managing a left toe injury.

Jonathan Kuminga, who hasn't played since Dec. 18 due to coaches decision, is questionable with bilateral low back soreness.

Rookie guard Will Richard is probable with left retrocalcaneal impingement, or pinched tissue in his ankle.

Two-way player LJ Cryer and Malevy Leons have been assigned to the Santa Cruz Warriors, the G-League affiliate team.

Warriors keys to victory

  • Keep an eye on Jazz's third-year guard: Keyonte George is averaging a career-high 24.6 points per contest, a +7.8 scoring increase from the 2024-25 campaign.

  • Improve shooting from previous game: The Warriors shot 35% from the field and 29% from three-point range against the Thunder. They're one of the best shooting teams in the league, their numbers have to improve for the Dubs to have a chance to win, even against the 12-21 Jazz.

  • Win the hustle points: This is an area that's underrated for Golden State but when the Warriors are forcing turnovers and getting out on fastbreaks, they are tough to battle.

Warriors vs. Thunder odds

Odds according toBetMGMas of Saturday afternoon.

  • Spread: Warriors by 11.5 (-105)

  • Over/Under: 244.5 (O/U -105)

  • Moneyline: Warriors -550

Warriors' next five games

  • Jan. 5 at Los Angeles Clippers

  • Jan. 7 vs. Milwaukee Bucks

  • Jan. 9 vs. Sacramento Kings

  • Jan. 11 vs. Atlanta Hawks

  • Jan. 13 vs. Portland Trail Blazers

➤Golden State Warriors complete 2025-26 schedule

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Warriors vs. Jazz: preview, TV, stream, odds, how to watch

 

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