Warriors vs. Jazz game preview: Will Golden State stars return?
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Warriors vs. Jazz game preview: Will Golden State stars return?
Marcus D. Smith, USA TODAYJanuary 4, 2026 at 6:16 AM
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Warriors vs. Jazz game preview: Will Golden State stars return?
The Golden State Warriors host the Utah Jazz in 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 night blowout loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder without their stars. The Jazz are also coming off a 118-101 loss on New Year's Day to the Los 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 ahead of Saturday's matchup between the Warriors and Jazz:
Oct. 26: The Brooklyn Nets' Michael Porter Jr. dunks in front of the San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama at Frost Bank Center.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/qBCtvd_g6b7woRsTqBHQeQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/c4dd8ff31c9df80393307745f51bfc96 class=caas-img data-headline="Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents" data-caption="
Oct. 26: The Brooklyn Nets' Michael Porter Jr. dunks in front of the San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama at Frost Bank Center.
">Oct. 26: The Brooklyn Nets' Michael Porter Jr. dunks in front of the San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama at Frost Bank Center.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/qBCtvd_g6b7woRsTqBHQeQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/c4dd8ff31c9df80393307745f51bfc96 class=caas-img>
1 / 8Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponentsOct. 26: The Dallas Mavericks' Cooper Flagg dunks the ball past the Toronto Raptors' Sandro Mamukelashvili at the American Airlines Center.
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 to BetMGM as 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
Source: “AOL Sports”
