Warriors fumble away a sure win vs Jazz on the night Kuminga took over

TOUGH LOSS.

Took me all day to muster the heart to write this one…that was one of the most painful regular season losses I’ve witnessed as a Golden State Warriors fan.

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What just happened??

And that’s not because we lost on the road to the Utah Jazz; they are notorious for having a mighty homecourt advantage. And there’s no shame in losing when you don’t have your big guns available; the Dubs rested their three 2022 All-Stars Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Andrew Wiggins.

AND these Jazz are no pushovers. Sure, this iteration of the Jazz may not have the traditional star power of STOCKTON AND MALONE or HAYWARD AND GOBERT (lmao) but they can be dangerous on a given night. They had a hot start to to the season and have some intriguing chemistry despite having a roster thrown together like a box of misfit toys.

They were supposed to be tanking for Victor Wambamthankyoumaam (sp?) in the upcoming draft, not fighting for Western Conference playoff consideration. So kudos to them for getting the best out of hoopers like Jordan Clarkson and Kelly Olynyk.

SO YEAH, all disclaimers aside, this was still one of the worst losses I’ve sat through as humble soldier in Dub Nation. Why, you ask?

The young guys put on a fourth quarter comeback for the ages that they then squandered with a last second collapse for the ages.

Trailing 100-91 entering the final frame, Jonathan Kuminga went berserk.

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JK went THROUGH the defender 😤

Warriors on NBCS @NBCSWarriors

JK is throwing down everything 😲

LOOK AT THE ATHLETICISM AND GRIT! Kuminga lifted the Dubs back in the game with monster fourth quarter performance, tallying up 12 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists (!), as well as a block and steal. He even played some inspired defense that had the Jazz ready to throw some punches!

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Things got heated between Kuminga and Clarkson 👀

Kendra Andrews @kendra__andrews

Kuminga on the scuffle with Clarkson: "I didn't have any intention to do anything. It was so funny to the point where I saw him square up right away. You were the one fouled me, I ain't gotta do all that. It was funny just seeing that."

THIS was what the Warriors wanted when they drafted the hyperathletic teenager back in 2021. An injection of energy and force that supercharges GSW’s brand of basketball with absurd physicality. Kuminga finished the game with 25 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists in 30 minutes off of the bench.

Fellow young first round draft pick Jordan Poole scored 36 points and dished 8 assists. And another GSW lottery pick came up big down the stretch, as Moses Moody delivered bombs late in crunchtime.

Joe Viray @JoeVirayNBA

Steve Kerr draws up this ATO for Moses Moody -- one that he drew up for Otto Porter Jr. last season vs. the Phoenix Suns on Christmas.

Kylen Mills @KylenMills

“JK was tremendous tonight, fantastic… it’s a shame we couldn’t finish it off with a win. I thought him and Moses played huge minutes for us down the stretch and made big plays.” Steve Kerr on Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody’s contributions against the Jazz. #DubNation

And yet all for naught as it ended in another road loss. The Dubs were up 122-119 with 24.9 seconds to go, and Klay Thompson got his cookies stolen on the inbound.

Matchup Brasil - NBA 🇧🇷 @MatchupBR

Klay Thompson cometeu o turnover e depois se recuperou com o toco!

Klay blocks the shot, Dubs get the ball back, Poole makes one free throw to push the lead to 123-119 with 13.3 seconds to go.

The Jazz then hit a freakin’ triple after Klay fell asleep on defense.

Monke Sports @monke_sports

MALIK BEASLEY HAS BEEN BALLING OUT 😵‍💫 Helped the Jazz complete a comeback with the clutch three. #Timberwolves

Warriors on NBCS @NBCSWarriors

Klay says he "fell asleep" on Beasley's late 3-pointer

Jordan Poole gets stripped on the ensuing inbounds, the Jazz go the other way for two points, and there’s your ball game. 124-123 Utah wins.

Utah Jazz @utahjazz

LOOK AT THIS

warriorsworld @warriorsworld

W’soffensive possessions the last 25 Seconds: Kuminga split FTs Klay Turnover Poole Split FT Poole Turnover

Alec Sturm @Alec_Sturm

The universe tried to have the Jazz lose that one three different times and they just didn’t let it happen

Tough loss. TOUGH.