Utah Jazz vs Warriors Player Stats: Curry’s 31-Point Return

Few things get a home crowd buzzing like seeing their star take the floor after a health scare. When Stephen Curry checked in against the Utah Jazz on January 3, 2026, the Chase Center crowd knew they were about to witness something special. And for 48 minutes, the two-time MVP delivered exactly that—31 points, six three-pointers, and a 123-114 victory that pushed the Warriors back on track.

Final Score: Warriors 123, Jazz 114 ·
Stephen Curry Points: 31 ·
Stephen Curry 3-Pointers: 6 ·
Game Date: January 3, 2026 ·
Warriors Record Last 5 vs Jazz: 3-2

Six key numbers from the January 3 matchup, one pattern: the Warriors leaned on Curry’s return to overcome a spirited Jazz shooting night.

These numbers set the stage: Curry’s scoring and the Warriors’ shooting efficiency were the deciding factors.

Why Was Stephen Curry Out of the Last Game?

Curry’s ankle injury and return

• Stephen Curry missed the previous game against the Los Angeles Lakers on January 1, 2026, due to a right ankle injury, as confirmed by the ESPN game recap.
• He returned on January 3 against the Jazz, scoring 31 points and making six three-pointers (USA Today Sports Data).

Warriors’ load management strategy

• The Warriors described the decision as precautionary, opting to rest Curry rather than risk aggravating the injury.
• According to the ESPN recap, the team “welcomed back their regulars” for the Jazz game, implying the lineup was at full strength.

Why Was the Utah Jazz Fined $100,000?

Violation of player participation policy

• The NBA reportedly fined the Utah Jazz $100,000 for violating the league’s player participation policy earlier in the 2026 season.
• The exact nature of the violation has not been publicly detailed, but the policy requires teams to field their best available players in nationally televised games and during key matchups.

This fine, while notable, remains a side note to the on-court action: the Jazz’s performance did not appear affected by any roster limitations.

Who Is the 7ft 4 Player on the Utah Jazz?

Walker Kessler’s height and role

• There is no 7’4″ player currently on the Utah Jazz roster. The tallest active player is Walker Kessler, listed at 7 feet 1 inch (RealGM box score).
• Kessler, in his third season, serves as the Jazz’s primary rim protector and averaged 2.3 blocks per game in the 2025-26 season.

Why this matters: The misconception about a 7’4″ player likely stems from past Jazz rosters (e.g., former player Tacko Fall, who is 7’6″, but never played for Utah). The current roster lacks extreme height, which impacts rebounding matchups against teams like Golden State.

Utah Jazz vs Golden State Warriors: Full Player Stats Breakdown

Stephen Curry’s 31 points lead Warriors

• Curry scored 31 points on 8-for-18 shooting, including 6-for-12 from three-point range and a perfect 9-for-9 from the free-throw line (USA Today Sports Data).
• His plus-minus was +12, the highest on the Warriors (according to the ESPN box score).

Jazz top scorers

• Lauri Markkanen led all scorers with 35 points on 15-for-27 shooting (USA Today Sports Data).
• Collin Sexton added 18 points and 7 assists (per ESPN box score).
• Brice Sensabaugh contributed 14 points off the bench (USA Today summary).

Rebounds and assists comparison

• Warriors outrebounded the Jazz 44-39, with Draymond Green grabbing 11 rebounds (ESPN box score).
• Assists were nearly even: Warriors 28, Jazz 27 (ESPN box score).

A side-by-side look at how the two teams performed in key shooting categories:

The pattern: Curry’s return restored the Warriors’ offensive balance, yet Utah’s perimeter shooting suggests a competitive series ahead.

How Do the Jazz and Warriors Compare in Recent Matchups?

Warriors 3-2 in last 5 games vs Jazz

• Golden State has won three of the last five meetings against Utah, including the January 3 contest (ESPN).
• The Warriors averaged 128.2 points per game in those five matchups, while the Jazz averaged approximately 115 (ESPN).

Trends and implications

• Curry has been the difference-maker: in games he played, the Warriors went 3-1; in the one game he missed, they lost.
• The Jazz’s perimeter defense will need to improve to close the gap, especially against Golden State’s three-point shooting.

For the Warriors, the message is clear: when Curry is healthy, they are a different team. For the Jazz, the fine and the loss underscore the challenges of navigating roster rules while competing against top-tier talent. The choice facing Utah’s front office: adapt to the league’s participation standards, or risk further penalties.