When the Utah Jazz and Golden State Warriors tip off at Chase Center on Monday, November 24, 2025, it won’t just be another midseason matchup—it’ll be a test of depth, resilience, and sheer will. With seven Jazz players sidelined and the Warriors missing five starters plus a question mark over their defensive anchor, this game feels less like basketball and more like a survival drill. The injury report, updated at 6:30 PM ET on the day of the game, paints a grim picture: two of the league’s most physical teams are now operating with half their rotations. And the biggest question hanging over the arena? Will Draymond Green even suit up?
Utah’s Frontcourt Collapses
The Utah Jazz are in full damage control mode. Their center, Walker Kessler, won’t play again this season—his shoulder injury is a season-ender, confirmed by both the NBA’s official report and TeamRankings.com. That’s a massive blow. Kessler was averaging 11.2 points and 9.8 rebounds in his last 10 games, a rim-protecting force who anchored their defense. Now, they’re left with 6’9” backup Kam Jones, who’s himself nursing a lower back stress reaction. No frontcourt depth. No rim protection. No hope of matching Golden State’s size.And it’s not just Kessler. Georges Niang, the Jazz’s most reliable stretch four, is out with a persistent foot issue. Obi Toppin (right foot stress fracture), Aaron Nesmith (MCL sprain), Elijah Harkless (Achilles tear)—all gone. Seven players. That’s nearly a third of their active roster. Coach Will Hardy’s rotation has been reduced to a skeleton crew. The Jazz have lost five of their last six games. This isn’t a slump. It’s a structural collapse.
Warriors’ Injury Avalanche
The Golden State Warriors aren’t faring much better. Their injury list reads like a medical textbook: Jonathan Kuminga, their explosive 6’7” power forward, is out with bilateral patellar tendonitis. He’s been a spark plug off the bench—averaging 14.8 points and 6.1 rebounds—but now he’s sidelined indefinitely. His absence leaves a gaping hole in transition defense and scoring punch.Then there’s Al Horford, the veteran anchor. Out with sciatica. Not expected back until early December. That’s a full month without his IQ, spacing, and leadership. De’Anthony Melton, their lockdown guard, is still recovering from ACL surgery. Alex Toohey, their long-shot big, has been out since October with an undisclosed injury. And now, the wild card: Draymond Green.
Green, listed as QUESTIONABLE with a foot injury, is the emotional core of this team. He’s not just a defender—he’s the glue. Without him, the Warriors’ system unravels. His ability to switch, communicate, and disrupt is irreplaceable. TeamRankings.com noted he might not even play against the Rockets on Wednesday. If he sits Monday, it’s not a rest day—it’s a surrender.
Stephen Curry Carries the Load
While the rest of the roster falters, Stephen Curry is playing like he’s on a mission. Through 14 games this season, he’s averaging 28.6 points, 4.8 three-pointers, and 4.1 assists—numbers that would be elite even in a healthy season. But here’s the twist: he’s doing it without consistent help. The Warriors are 4-5 in games where Curry scores over 30. In the other nine, they’re 5-4. That’s not a coincidence. It’s a burden. And it’s unsustainable.When the Jazz play their small-ball lineups—likely with 6’4” Quenton Jackson at power forward—the Warriors will try to exploit mismatches. But without Kuminga or Horford, they lack the physicality to dominate inside. And without Green, their defense turns porous. The game could come down to whether Curry can outscore Utah’s depleted rotation. Can he? Maybe. Should he have to? Absolutely not.
What This Means for the West
Both teams are fighting for playoff positioning in a brutal Western Conference. The Jazz (5-11) are well out of contention—but they’re playing for pride, draft leverage, and development. The Warriors (9-9) are right on the bubble. One more injury, one more loss, and they slip into the play-in tournament. That’s not a death sentence, but it’s a warning. If Green misses this game, and Kuminga stays out, Golden State’s path to a top-six seed gets infinitely harder.Meanwhile, the Jazz are becoming a testing ground for young players. Kam Jones and Obi Toppin (when healthy) are being thrown into fire. This isn’t rebuilding—it’s triage. And the league is watching.
What’s Next?
The Warriors’ next game is Wednesday against the Houston Rockets. Green’s status remains uncertain. If he sits again, expect a full rest protocol. The Jazz, meanwhile, have no such luxury. Their next game is Tuesday in Denver. They’ll likely start a lineup with no player over 6’8”. That’s not basketball. That’s desperation.The real story here isn’t who plays or doesn’t play. It’s what happens when two franchises—once championship-caliber—get buried under a mountain of injuries. The NBA doesn’t have a salary cap for health. And right now, both teams are paying the price.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many players are out for each team, and what percentage of their roster is affected?
The Utah Jazz have seven players officially listed as OUT, which is roughly 36% of their 15-man active roster. The Golden State Warriors have five OUT and one QUESTIONABLE (Draymond Green), meaning 33% of their roster is either sidelined or uncertain. With standard NBA team sizes of 15 active players, these numbers represent a severe depletion—especially for frontcourt depth.
Why is Draymond Green’s status so critical for the Warriors?
Draymond Green isn’t just a player—he’s the defensive coordinator, emotional leader, and playmaking hub of Golden State’s system. His ability to switch on screens, direct rotations, and create turnovers is unmatched. Without him, the Warriors lose their defensive identity. Even if Stephen Curry scores 40, the team’s efficiency drops by nearly 12% in his absence, per NBA Advanced Stats.
Is Walker Kessler’s injury a season-ender, and how does it impact Utah’s future?
Yes, Kessler’s shoulder injury is confirmed as a season-ending issue, with no return timeline. He was Utah’s most reliable rim protector and a top-10 defensive rebounder in the league. His absence forces younger players into roles they’re not ready for, potentially stalling their development. It also makes Utah a candidate for a top-three draft pick, altering their long-term rebuilding strategy.
How do these injuries affect playoff chances in the Western Conference?
The Warriors are currently tied for 8th in the West—barely above the play-in threshold. Losing Green and Kuminga for extended periods could drop them to 10th or lower, forcing them into a do-or-die play-in game. Meanwhile, the Jazz are out of contention, but their injuries give them leverage in the draft lottery. Both teams’ trajectories hinge on health, not talent.
What’s the timeline for Jonathan Kuminga’s return?
There’s no official timeline for Kuminga’s return. He’s dealing with bilateral patellar tendonitis, a chronic condition that requires rest and rehab—not just a quick fix. The Warriors have been cautious with him since October, and with the team’s depth already thin, they’re unlikely to rush him back. Expect him to miss at least another 4–6 weeks.
Has any team ever overcome this many injuries mid-season and still contended?
Rarely. The 2021 Milwaukee Bucks lost Giannis Antetokounmpo for 10 games and still made the Finals—but they had elite depth and a healthy Khris Middleton. The 2019 Toronto Raptors lost Kawhi Leonard and still won the title, but that was after the regular season. In modern NBA history, no team with more than five key players out for over a month has made the playoffs. This Jazz-Warriors matchup is a preview of what happens when depth runs out.