Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr often notes that, even at their most depleted, even the worst NBA team employs professional hoopers who can beat any other team on a given night.

The tumbling Utah Jazz, sitting their best players — injured and healthy — proved that again late Monday night in Utah by beating Golden State 119-116.

The Warriors fell to 32-32 and are now just half a game ahead of the ninth-seeded Los Angeles Clippers.

With the score tied at 113 and 29 seconds showing on the clock, former Santa Cruz Warrior Blake Hinson gave the home team the lead when he knocked down a 3-pointer in the corner.

The Jazz tacked on a free throw after an empty Golden State possession, and then De’Anthony Melton buried a triple with 2.3 seconds remaining to cut the deficit to one point. Elijah Harkless drained both free throws with 1.7 on the clock to give the Jazz a three-point lead, and Gui Santos’ last-second, double-clutched 3-pointer came up short.

With 15 total players listed on the pregame injury report, both sides had to rely on relatively-anonymous faces to contribute.

Two-way player Nate Williams scored 12 and grabbed four offensive rebounds, while fellow two-way LJ Cryer scored 11. More recognizable contributors Brandin Podziemski put in 14 points and Melton put up a team-high 20 points. Santos scored 15.

Brice Sensabaugh led Utah with 21 points.

The Warriors rallied from down 11 in the second half, and benefited from the tanking Jazz not playing Keyonte George late in the game.

Free throws were an issue for the Warriors. The Jazz made 27 of 29, while Golden State hit on just 14 of 21. The Warriors also, puzzlingly, settled for 52 3-pointers against a Utah defense known for giving up easy layups. Golden State made only 16 long range shots.

Cellar-dwelling Utah led 59-50 at halftime, and 91-84 after three quarters. That short-handed Warriors were finishing up a three-game road trip, having beaten Houston and lost to Oklahoma City in the first two legs of the trip.

The Warriors (32-32) will have no time to rest once they return to the Bay Area. Golden State takes on Chicago at Chase Center on Tuesday.

Seth Curry’s return

After 40 games spent on the mend from sciatica, it took Seth Curry all of eight seconds to make his impact felt in Utah. Steph Curry’s younger brother stood in the corner, loaded up a shot, and splashed a 3-pointer on his first possession off the bench.

Curry, who led the league with a 45.7% 3-point accuracy rate, and showed no signs of rust while playing in his first game since Dec. 4. The 35-year-old made two 3-pointers and even knocked down three free throws in seven first half minutes.

In the second half, he showed off he was more than just a shooter. Curry made the Jazz pay for closing out hard on two third quarter possessions, slicing into the lane and scoring a pair of right-handed layups.

Curry finished the night with 13 points in 12 minutes.

Warriors injuries and absences

As has been the case for most of 2026, the Warriors were undermanned on Monday night in Utah. Steph remained out with runner’s knee, and Moses Moody (wrist) and Will Richard (ankle) were ruled out. Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford were not even in the building, both having flown back to the Bay Area a day early.

Because he is not playing in back-to-backs, Melton will not play against the Bulls.

Ace Bailey and Isaiah Collier were both out for Utah, which also had star Lauri Markkanen (hip) also sitting out. Trade deadline acquisition Jaren Jackson Jr. is out for the year with a hip injury.

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