The Golden State Warriors and Utah Jazz head into their January 28 matchup with two very different kinds of news. Golden State is bracing for the long haul without Jimmy Butler III after a season-ending ACL tear, but the Warriors are also set for a major lift with Stephen Curry and Draymond Green both trending toward returns. Utah, meanwhile, is getting its primary scoring tandem back. Keyonte George and Lauri Markkanen are off the injury report together for the first time in eight games, and that changes the entire feel of this meeting.

In short: stars are coming back on both sides, and the tone of the game swings with them.

Warriors injury outlook: Curry and Draymond steady the ship

Golden State lists Stephen Curry (right patellofemoral inflammation) and Draymond Green (left low back soreness) as probable after both missed their last outing against Minnesota. Gary Payton II (right calf contusion) is also probable, while guard LJ Cryer (left hamstring tightness) is questionable.

• OUT: Jimmy Butler III (right ACL tear, season-ending)
• OUT: Jonathan Kuminga (bone bruise, left knee)
• OUT: Seth Curry (left sciatic nerve irritation)
• PROBABLE: Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Gary Payton II
• QUESTIONABLE: LJ Cryer

This is a classic two-sided update for the Warriors. Losing Butler III for the season is a body blow to wing depth and two-way balance. But getting Curry and Green back together is the difference between chasing a game and controlling it. Curry enters averaging 23.2 points, 5.4 assists, and 3.6 made threes per game this season. Even when he’s not scoring, his gravity warps a defense and opens shots for everyone else. Green’s 7.5 points and 4.3 assists undersell his value; he organizes the defense, sets the tone, and provides the connective passes that get Golden State into rhythm.

Payton’s probable tag matters too. His on-ball defense and activity at the point of attack are exactly what you need against quick guards like Keyonte George. If Cryer can’t go, that’s one fewer ball-handler for Steve Kerr, but Curry’s likely return eases that pressure.

“If Curry plays, the Warriors’ offense instantly looks two steps faster.”

Jazz boost: Keyonte George and Lauri Markkanen return

The Jazz have reason to smile. Both Keyonte George and Lauri Markkanen are available, marking the first time in eight games that the two will share the floor. That pairing matters. They’ve combined to average 51.9 points per game this season, giving Utah a one-two punch it simply didn’t have during their recent slide. The team went 1–6 in the stretch without Markkanen, and his absence was felt in late-game scoring and spacing.

• OUT: Walker Kessler (left shoulder injury recovery)
• OUT: Kevin Love (rest)
• OUT: Georges Niang (left foot, fourth metatarsal stress reaction)
• QUESTIONABLE: Jusuf Nurkic (illness), Cody Williams (illness)
• AVAILABLE: Keyonte George, Lauri Markkanen

George’s season line — 22.2 points, 5.6 assists, and 2.6 made threes per game — speaks to his shot creation and confidence. He gets downhill, he pulls up, and he can sling passes to shooters. Markkanen’s numbers in this dataset are more modest at 13.7 points and 3.7 rebounds, but his presence still stretches defenses and stabilizes the offense. Together, they give Utah a clearer pecking order and balance on the perimeter.

Utah will miss size and rim protection without Walker Kessler, and Georges Niang’s shooting is a loss. If Jusuf Nurkic can’t go due to illness, interior minutes and rebounding become a collective job. Kevin Love is out for rest, which also trims floor-spacing options in the frontcourt. Even so, with George and Markkanen back, ball movement and shot quality should tick up quickly.

“Markkanen plus George changes the math: Utah suddenly has answers late in games.”

Matchup pressure points: spacing, defense, and the glass

Expect a game built on spacing and quick decisions. Curry’s return threatens Utah’s perimeter defense immediately; his 3.6 threes per game force bigger closeouts and scramble help rotations. On the other end, George’s shooting and drive game (2.6 threes per game) can put Golden State in rotation, especially if the Warriors are still ironing out coverages with Green easing back in.

Draymond’s presence is the stabilizer for Golden State. He calls out coverages, switches smartly, and can body bigger players when needed. That’s important with Jonathan Kuminga out — the Warriors lose length and athleticism at the forward spot, so Green’s communication becomes even more valuable. If Payton plays, he likely takes early reps on George to set a defensive tone.

For Utah, the paint is the question. Without Kessler and possibly Nurkic, the Jazz may lean smaller, which can help spacing but hurts rebounding. That’s where Markkanen’s box-outs and gang rebounding come in. Second-chance points could tilt this game either way, especially if both sides are trading threes.

Bench minutes are a quiet swing factor. No Niang means fewer pick-and-pop looks for Utah’s second unit. No Kuminga or Seth Curry for Golden State reduces bench scoring, placing more weight on Curry-led lineups to build or protect leads. If Cryer sits, the Warriors’ ball-handling behind Steph tightens further.

“Utah needs to win the glass; Golden State needs to win the three-point line.”

Why this matters now

This isn’t just another midseason game; it’s a pivot point. For Golden State, the season-ending loss of Jimmy Butler III forces a recalibration on the wing. Getting Curry and Green back together helps re-center the identity — ball movement, spacing, and a connected defense. For Utah, the return of George and Markkanen restores the top of the lineup. The Jazz were 1–6 without Markkanen. That’s not just a blip; it’s a sign of how much he anchors the team on both ends.

With both teams welcoming key players, this meeting becomes a test of who can reintegrate faster. Early rhythm, turnover control, and transition defense will tell the story. If Curry’s legs are under him and Draymond is directing traffic, Golden State’s offense finds its flow. If George and Markkanen get comfortable early, Utah’s half-court structure looks sharper, and end-game options expand.

Full team statuses at a glance

Warriors

• OUT: Jimmy Butler III (right ACL tear, season-ending)
• OUT: Jonathan Kuminga (bone bruise, left knee)
• OUT: Seth Curry (left sciatic nerve irritation)
• PROBABLE: Stephen Curry (right patellofemoral inflammation)
• PROBABLE: Draymond Green (left low back soreness)
• PROBABLE: Gary Payton II (right calf contusion)
• QUESTIONABLE: LJ Cryer (left hamstring tightness)

Jazz

• OUT: Walker Kessler (left shoulder injury recovery)
• OUT: Kevin Love (rest)
• OUT: Georges Niang (left foot, fourth metatarsal stress reaction)
• QUESTIONABLE: Jusuf Nurkic (illness)
• QUESTIONABLE: Cody Williams (illness)
• AVAILABLE: Keyonte George (off injury report)
• AVAILABLE: Lauri Markkanen (off injury report)

The bottom line

This game flips from a grind to a showcase with the expected returns. Curry and Green bring back the Warriors’ heartbeat. George and Markkanen restore Utah’s scoring core. Watch the three-point math, watch the glass, and watch which star pairing finds rhythm first. That likely decides it.

And remember: probable and questionable tags can change close to tip. But as of now, both teams are getting the reinforcements they badly need — and the matchup just got a lot more interesting.