The Utah Jazz pulled off a remarkable comeback on February 6, 2025, defeating the Golden State Warriors 131-128 at the Delta Center, marking just the Jazz's third victory over the Warriors in their last 16 meetings. The star of the night was Jordan Clarkson, who scored 31 points, leading the charge alongside Keyonte George, who contributed 26 points. Isaiah Collier also shone with 20 points and 11 assists.
Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 32 points, giving them hope as they attempted to maintain their playoff positioning following off-court turmoil caused by significant roster changes. The night began with the Warriors flaunting their new acquisition, Jimmy Butler, who joined the team after they traded Andrew Wiggins, Dennis Schröder, Kyle Anderson, and a protected first-round pick.
Initially, it seemed like the Warriors' changes would give them the upper hand as they built momentum from early leads. By the fourth quarter, Curry, along with Brandin Podziemski, who scored a career-high 29 points, looked poised to keep Golden State marching toward the playoffs. Golden State surged to a double-digit lead, with Curry and Buddy Hield connecting on three-pointers during a key 11-0 run, pushing the Warriors to a 120-110 lead with just over three minutes left on the clock.
But the Jazz weren’t ready to back down. After trailing by 11 points with under three minutes remaining, Utah delivered a scorching performance on both ends of the court. The team scored on 10 consecutive possessions, tying the game back up and eventually taking the lead 127-126 with just 27 seconds remaining, thanks to George's clutch three-pointer.
“The Jazz scored on 10 straight possessions over the final three minutes after trailing by double digits,” according to the Associated Press.
Warrior fans could only watch as thereafter, Clarkson and his teammates executed their game plan flawlessly. A rising star, the Jazz’s late-game performance shocked the Warriors, who were trying to maintain their grip on the final play-in spot. This loss sent the Warriors back to .500 with their record standing at 25-25. “This hurts not only with the way it finished, but because it sends the Warriors back to .500,” stated NBC Sports.
Throughout this rollercoaster match, key players like Walker Kessler, who tallied 15 points and dominated the boards with 18 rebounds, provided support to Clarkson's efforts. Kessler's presence was particularly felt during high-stakes moments when his defense led to multiple failed Golden State attempts to solidify their lead, especially with late-game blocks. The collective effort of the Jazz was unmistakable.
Despite the grit displayed by the Warriors, who were working with only ten players due to recent trades, it was evident Utah's determination was higher this time around. The team's synergy shone as they poured through four straight baskets—highlighted by two three-pointers from Clarkson—to score 20 points against Golden State's seven points during the final minutes of the game.
Reflecting on the Jazz's defensive strategy, they have struggled significantly this season, evidenced by their 119 defensive rating, which ranks 29th in the league according to the Deseret News. Nevertheless, the culmination of their efforts on the court—despite their statistical challenges— showcases their underlying potential.
This victory not only gave fans hope as they look toward the future but marked Utah as the only NBA team since the beginning of the previous season to pull off such a win after trailing by 11 or more points with fewer than three minutes to play, with other teams holding a 1,222-0 record before their win. “The Jazz are the only NBA team since the start of last season to win a game after trailing by 11+ points with under three minutes left,” KSL Sports confirmed.
Following this thrilling contest, the Jazz will be heading to Phoenix for their next match, hoping to build on their hard-fought victory, which boosts morale following dismal stretches earlier this season. Golden State is left to regroup as they prepare for the Los Angeles Lakers.