Stephen Curry’s 45th Career 20-Point Quarter and a Unique Dunk

Stephen Curry’s 45th career 20-point quarter for the Golden State Warriors was a highlight of Saturday night’s game against the Utah Jazz. The moment that stood out was a layup he counted as his 28th dunk. As he cut to the basket from the top of the key, Gui Santos fed him a slick bounce pass that he caught amid a two-footed gather, exploding for a layup. However, the ball nicked the rim.

“I surprised myself,” Curry said postgame. “I got in the air and I was high enough and I made my mind up at the end that I was going to try to turn it over. I’ma count it just because who knows how many chances I’ll get.”

Curry scored 20 of his 31 points in the third quarter of a 123-114 win over the Utah Jazz at Chase Center, marking the sixth win in eight games for Golden State. His flurry helped the team overcome a 12-point second-quarter deficit that coincided with Draymond Green’s second ejection of the 2025-26 season. The Warriors trailed 60-48 after Lauri Markkanen’s free throws followed back-to-back technical fouls for Green, who argued what he thought should’ve been three seconds in the lane against Kyle Filipowski.

Green first argued with referee Simone Jelks as Filipowski passed to Markkanen cutting for a dunk, and then followed with comments to referee Kevin Cutler, who issued the technical foul that sent him into the locker room.

Draymond Green’s Ejections and Impact on the Team

Green has twice been ejected this season and 23 times (22 regular season, one playoffs) in his 14-year career following a Dec. 20 ejection in the first half of a three-point win over the Phoenix Suns. He also has nine technical fouls through 36 games, with a 16th technical triggering a one-game suspension. He left the bench two weeks ago Monday in the second half of a blowout win over the Orlando Magic.

Upon his departure in those three matchups, the Warriors outscored their opponents by 13 points, 28 points, and 19 points, respectively.

Jimmy Butler added 15 points and seven assists for Golden State (19-17), while Quinten Post had 15 points and De’Anthony Melton added 13 points. Golden State shot 42.2% from 3-point range to outdo Utah, led by Markkanen’s 35 points and Keyonte George’s 22 points.

“We won the game. That’s all we care about. That’s all he cares about,” Curry said when asked about Golden State surging after premature exits in three games from Green. “I know he’d rather be out there. I don’t know what he said to the ref, but the consensus in the locker room is that he shouldn’t have been thrown out.”

Game Highlights and Statistics

Curry, Butler, Green, and Melton sat out Friday’s blowout loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, returning Saturday to Golden State’s lineup. Without Green following a 65-58 halftime deficit, Curry initiated more pick-and-roll actions and sought to attack the Jazz (12-22) in transition.

Utah Stats:
– Markkanen: 40:45, 15-27 FG, 3-4 FT, 2-6 O-T, 1 A, 3 PF, 35 PTS
– Mykhailiuk: 27:53, 4-6 FG, 0-0 FT, 2-3 O-T, 2 A, 2 PF, 10 PTS
– Love: 24:16, 2-6 FG, 0-0 FT, 1-11 O-T, 5 A, 1 PF, 5 PTS
– George: 36:21, 7-18 FG, 4-5 FT, 1-1 O-T, 9 A, 2 PF, 22 PTS
– Sensabaugh: 27:14, 5-8 FG, 0-0 FT, 0-2 O-T, 2 A, 2 PF, 12 PTS
– Collier: 22:25, 4-8 FG, 0-2 FT, 1-5 O-T, 7 A, 2 PF, 8 PTS
– Filipowski: 18:40, 3-3 FG, 1-2 FT, 0-1 O-T, 1 A, 2 PF, 7 PTS
– Clayton Jr.: 16:52, 2-6 FG, 2-2 FT, 0-3 O-T, 2 A, 2 PF, 8 PTS
– Williams: 13:11, 3-4 FG, 0-0 FT, 2-3 O-T, 0 A, 2 PF, 6 PTS
– Hendricks: 12:23, 0-0 FG, 1-2 FT, 1-2 O-T, 3 A, 2 PF, 1 PTS

Golden State Stats:
– Butler III: 33:31, 4-9 FG, 6-8 FT, 1-3 O-T, 7 A, 0 PF, 15 PTS
– Green: 12:04, 3-4 FG, 1-1 FT, 0-3 O-T, 2 A, 0 PF, 8 PTS
– Post: 22:31, 6-9 FG, 0-0 FT, 1-5 O-T, 2 A, 1 PF, 15 PTS
– St.Curry: 34:16, 8-18 FG, 9-9 FT, 0-2 O-T, 5 A, 2 PF, 31 PTS
– Moody: 25:00, 3-8 FG, 0-0 FT, 0-1 O-T, 2 A, 1 PF, 8 PTS
– Melton: 24:34, 5-11 FG, 0-0 FT, 2-7 O-T, 2 A, 2 PF, 13 PTS
– Podziemski: 24:03, 2-7 FG, 1-2 FT, 1-6 O-T, 8 A, 1 PF, 6 PTS
– Payton II: 20:54, 5-9 FG, 0-0 FT, 4-9 O-T, 2 A, 1 PF, 10 PTS
– Richard: 17:51, 3-5 FG, 0-0 FT, 0-2 O-T, 0 A, 2 PF, 8 PTS
– Jackson-Davis: 16:52, 4-5 FG, 1-4 FT, 4-6 O-T, 0 A, 1 PF, 9 PTS
– Santos: 8:24, 0-2 FG, 0-0 FT, 0-1 O-T, 2 A, 2 PF, 0 PTS

Coach Kerr’s Comments and Future Outlook

“That’s how good he is,” head coach Steve Kerr said. “Everything felt right in the second half. The spirit, the energy, the level of competitive fight.”

Kerr confirmed concern about Green’s early exits, noting “we need Draymond. I want him out there” while referencing his growing technical foul count. He finished 2024-25 with 13 technicals and one ejection, marks he’s on track to outpace this season. Butler agreed with Kerr’s assessment.

“That ain’t the formula,” Butler said, asked about Golden State’s surges without him. “We need two-three out there. … When you’re a man down, you really have to pick up everything. It’s generally hard to cover up what he does on both sides of the floor. The IQ on both sides of the floor and then obviously the defense.”

The Warriors lost his minutes by 15 points and have lost them in nine of his last 11 games.

“A lot of the numbers, you get small sample sizes. You see different things happen,” Kerr said. “… You look at Draymond’s career and he’s on the plus side in a massive way over and over again. … I think we’re overall playing better and I think he’s playing better as well.”

Golden State next plays Monday on the road against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Additional Notes

• Gary Payton II (10 points, nine rebounds) started the second half in Green’s place, joining Curry, Butler, Post, and Moses Moody.
• Butler played his 900th career game.
• Al Horford (left toe injury management) was out for Golden State on the second night of a back to back.
• Seth Curry (sciatica) missed his eighth straight game.
• Walker Kessler and Ace Bailey were among Utah’s inactives.