Jazz stun Warriors behind huge night from Gordon Hayward
The Golden State Warriors have beaten up on the worst and taken care of the best all season long - it's the reason why they're the top team in the Western Conference.
Golden State doesn't play down to its opponents. Entering Friday, the Warriors had lost only one game all season to a team with an under .500 record, but that changed after the Utah Jazz were finished with them.
The Jazz shocked the Warriors behind a 26-point, 15-rebound effort from Gordon Hayward to pull away with a 110-100 victory at EnergySolutions Arena.
Hayward's 15 rebounds were a career high and he added six assists and three steals to lead the Jazz to the improbable victory.
Utah had five other players score in double figures, including Rudy Gobert, who recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds off the bench.
The Jazz held an 18-point lead and fought off a late charge by the Warriors, who were powered by a huge fourth quarter from Leandro Barbosa. All-Star Stephen Curry scored a game-high 32 points and nailed five 3-pointers with seven rebounds and six assists but it wasn't enough for Golden State, which lost its second consecutive game.
It marks the third time this season the Warriors have dropped back-to-back contests, but they've responded with a victory every game their next time out.
The Warriors will look to keep that trend alive Saturday when they host the surging Phoenix Suns.