Warriors Dominate Jazz Behind Gary Payton II’s Career Night
The Golden State Warriors (10-9) put an end to their three-game skid with a commanding 134-117 victory over the Utah Jazz (5-12) on Monday night. Leading the charge was Stephen Curry, who topped all scorers with 31 points. However, it was Jimmy Butler’s multifaceted contributions that truly stood out; he posted 18 points on an efficient 8-of-11 shooting, complemented by seven assists and no turnovers. Meanwhile, Buddy Hield also shined, scoring 20 points on 8-of-13 shooting, but the spotlight was firmly on another Warriors veteran.
Payton Steps Up in Draymond’s Absence
With Draymond Green sidelined, the Warriors faced the challenge of filling significant gaps in playmaking, rebounding, and defensive prowess. Gary Payton II answered the call in impressive fashion. Not only did he hold his own against larger opponents on defense—a role that has become a hallmark of his game—but he also delivered a career-high eight assists to go along with nine points and six rebounds.
One of his standout moments came when he executed a stunning steal from Lauri Markkanen, setting up a behind-the-back pass to Hield for an easy layup. If Green remains out for Wednesday’s matchup against the Rockets, it’s likely that head coach Steve Kerr will stick with the same starting lineup that showcased Payton’s best performance of the season.
Butler’s Impact in Non-Curry Minutes
As the game wound down, the Warriors enjoyed a comfortable 24-point lead with four minutes left. Notably, during the minutes when Curry was off the court, the Warriors outscored their opponents by a staggering 20 points, largely thanks to Butler’s ability to maintain offensive momentum.
In the second quarter, Golden State ignited a 21-0 run, with Butler on the floor while Curry rested. By the time the dust settled, the Warriors had a plus-1.0 net rating with Butler playing and Curry sitting, according to Cleaning the Glass. Although it’s rare for the team to dominate in non-Curry stretches, Butler’s scoring, ball-handling, and playmaking skills proved instrumental in keeping the Warriors competitive.
Richard Finds His Groove Off the Bench
Will Richard had been a starter for the past six games, but his transition to a bench role proved to be a turning point. Although he hadn’t made a significant impact as a starter, the change allowed him to shine. Coming off the bench, he contributed nine points, six rebounds, and two steals, all while posting a game-high plus-minus of plus-29.
Richard’s increased activity was evident as he attempted seven field goals, marking one of his higher totals this season. Interestingly, while the Curry-Richard-Moody-Butler-Green starting lineup boasted a strong plus-10.1 net rating, the duo of Curry and Richard had entered the game with a concerning minus-11.7 net rating. Whether this discrepancy is merely a blip or a sign of a deeper issue remains to be seen. Regardless, Richard’s skill set appears to be better utilized off the bench, where he can provide valuable energy and support to the Warriors’ rotation.
