SAN FRANCISCO — Maybe a few weeks ago, the Warriors would have faded away when presented with a challenge such as Wednesday night.
The Utah Jazz took a 10-point lead in the first quarter and it looked like it could have been another one of those throwaway games for the 2022-23 Dubs. Steph Curry, Andrew Wiggins, Klay Thompson and JaMychal Green were all out. The Dubs defense looked porous and the offense looked stagnant to start the game.
Even with about three minutes left in the third quarter, the Jazz led by double digits. But the young Dubs didn’t panic. Instead, the Warriors rose to the challenge and pulled off a 112-107 victory that wouldn’t have been possible without its young core.
"It feels different to win this game based on the circumstances," Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. "This was a game we wouldn't have won a few weeks ago. I think our young guys are really growing."
The last time these two teams met on Dec. 7 in Utah, the Warriors fell in heartbreaking fashion, letting a four-point lead evaporate within the final minute. Jordan Poole fumbled an inbounds on the Warriors final possession that night as the Jazz stunned with a late flurry. Poole made things interesting with 30 seconds left when he made a bad pass that led to a fast break and free throws for the Jazz, but the Warriors held onto the lead to win their third straight.
Poole continued to provide the scoring punch without Curry, leading the Warriors with 26 points on 7-of-22 shooting. He also iced the game with three late free throws. Donte DiVincenzo scored 17 and hit five 3-pointers, while Ty Jerome also added 17 huge points and some offensive stability for the second unit in the second half.
He got Poole dancing after getting this steal before a transition 3-pointer to put the Dubs up for good.
"Ty was fantastic," Kerr said. "He's always getting us settled. He's always under control. He's a great shooter, really good passer, runs the point really well. ... He gives us a really good pick-and-roll player and also a good shooter off the ball. Really effective, tough, smart player."
The youngsters made key contributions throughout the evening.
James Wiseman and Moses Moody helped stop the bleeding in the first quarter with a quick five-point flurry that cut into an early 10-point lead for the Jazz, who called a timeout. Patrick Baldwin Jr.’s trio of 3-pointers kept the Warriors afloat and he looks like a threat to get more minutes down the road.
As bad as the Warriors reserves looked to start the season, it appears they are finding their footing on this current homestand. Golden State's once maligned second unit looks like its rising from the early-season ashes.
"Everyone is just playing with more confidence," Jerome said. "Everyone is understanding their role more and now we just got to keep it going."
