By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT PhilBoxing.com Thu, 08 Dec 2022
December 7, 2022
It was simply the toughest and wildest of the 13 Warriors losses, thus far, this season
In the waning moments of an electrifying game, Filipino-American Jordan Clarkson- the heart and soul of the Jazz- almost started a melee and definitely stoked the fire in his teammates.
With the Warriors ahead 121-119, Jonathan Kuminga was having a breakout game when he blocked Jordan Clarkson’s short jumper with 24.9 seconds left.
Both Kuminga and Clarkson got entwined and had to be restrained by their teammates and the officials.
Clarkson posed to fight, threw his head band instead, and walked off the court after he was assessed a Flagrant 2 foul after collaring Kuminga.
Technical fouls flew on both sides and ushered an exciting finish.
With just 13.3 seconds left at the Vivint Arena in Utah, Jordan Poole sank one of two free throws to push the Warriors up by four points, 123-119, and the game seemed to be in the bag.
With 7.8 seconds left, just after a Utah timeout, Nickeil Alexander-Walker dished to a streaking Malik Beasley who drained a heart-pounding 24-foot trey pushing Utah within a point, 123-121.
Thereafter, a meltdown of epic proportions for Jordan Poole and the Warriors ensued.
With 4.3 seconds left, Utah’s Nickeil Alexander Walker stole the ball from Poole then passed to Malik Beasley who quickly dished to Simone Fontecchio for the dunk, the lead, and the win, 124-123.
Jordan Poole tied a season best 36 points while Jonathan Kuminga had the breakout game he was looking for as he threw down a season-high 24 points. Klay Thompson scored a workmanlike 22 points.
Sidelined players from both sides missed all the court side action…the Warriors were without Stephen Curry (sore left ankle), Draymond Green (left hip tightness), Andrew Wiggins (adductor muscle strain) and Utah lacked Lauri Markkanen (illness) and Mike Conley (injured left knee).
As a team, Utah sank 46 of 86 baskets (53.5% FG) and 15-35 treys (42.9% 3-PT).
The Jazz outscored Golden State in the paint 60-50, and had more points after turnovers 20 to 11.
As a team, Golden State sank 45 of 98 baskets (45.9% FG) and 14 of 42 treys (33.3% PT).
If this is an early preview of the NBA playoff, count me in.
Upcoming:
Utah Jazz: Host Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night.
Golden State Warriors: Host Boston Celtics on Saturday night.
Note of Appreciation:
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