Prior to tipoff against the Utah Jazz on Wednesday, the Golden State Warriors had to hit pause on the NBA trade deadline for the first game of their extended road swing.
Following a blockbuster trade to acquire Jimmy Butler from the Miami Heat shortly before tip-off, the Warriors were shorthanded against the Jazz on Wednesday. Missing four players, the Warriors started out slow in Salt Lake City, falling down 14 points in the first quarter. Despite a cold start, Brandin Podziemski sparked Golden State’s offense on the way to a comeback. By halftime, the Warriors secured a two-point lead over the Jazz.
After battling back and forth through most of the second half, the Warriors looked to be on their way to a victory with an 11-point lead with three minutes remaining in the contest. Despite holding a 122-111 lead with three minutes left on the clock, a disastrous final stretch resulted in a blown lead and collapse for the Warriors. While the Warriors went cold, Jordan Clarkson, Keyonte George and John Collins helped the Jazz steal a win late, 131-128.
Podziemski tallied a new career-high with 29 points on 8-of-18 shooting from the field with three made 3-pointers. Curry led the Warriors with 32 points on 12-of-31 shooting from the field with six made 3-pointers to along with seven assists.
The Warriors will have to move on from their ugly collapse in Utah quickly as they face the Los Angeles Lakers in the second leg of a road back-to-back on Thursday night in Hollywood.