The Utah Jazz do not have Walker Kessler, Jaren Jackson Jr. or Jusuf Nurkić. On Monday night they were also missing Lauri Markkanen, Ace Bailey and Isaiah Collier.
That should have been a recipe for a scheduled loss for the Jazz. But, the Golden State Warriors also brought a barebones roster to the Delta Center — no Jimmy Butler, Stephen Curry, Kristaps Porziņģis, Al Horford or Moses Moody.
Advertisement
And on Monday night, the Jazz got the best out of their rag-tag team of misfits, with eight players scoring in double figures, Brice Sensabaugh leading the way with 21 points, and all three of their two-way players coming alive off the bench for a 119-116 win over the Warriors.
There will be plenty of time (tomorrow) to talk about how the win for the Jazz is probably not the best thing to happen. But tonight, some of the Jazz’s most unsung players deserve some praise.
Oscar Tshiebwe and Elijah Harkless are familiar to most Jazz fans, having been with the team for two seasons now on two-way deals. Even so, as is the case with two-way players, their opportunities have been limited. But they were given ample opportunity against the Warriors and along with Blake Hinson, playing in just his eighth NBA game, the trio combined for 38 points off the bench.
“They’re all part of our program for a reason,” Jazz head coach Will Hardy said. “It’s not just what they do as basketball players, but who they are as competitors and people. We’re trying to really hone in on who we want in our program, and those three guys all represent that, and they all do it in their own way, but they’re all team-first guys.”
Utah Jazz forward Brice Sensabaugh (28) looks for a play as Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, March 9, 2026, in Salt Lake City. | Rob Gray
Utah Jazz forward Blake Hinson (2) shoots a three point basket over Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, March 9, 2026, in Salt Lake City. | Rob Gray
Utah Jazz center Oscar Tshiebwe (34) battles for a rebound against Golden State Warriors center Quinten Post (21) and guard Brandin Podziemski (2) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, March 9, 2026, in Salt Lake City. | Rob Gray
Utah Jazz forward Brice Sensabaugh (28) steps back to shoot against Golden State Warriors guard Pat Spencer (61) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, March 9, 2026, in Salt Lake City. | Rob Gray
Golden State Warriors guard De’anthony Melton (8) goes to the basket against Utah Jazz forward Brice Sensabaugh, second from right, during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, March 9, 2026, in Salt Lake City. | Rob Gray
Golden State Warriors forward Gui Santos (15) looks for a play against Utah Jazz guard John Konchar (55) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, March 9, 2026, in Salt Lake City. | Rob Gray
Utah Jazz head coach Will Hardy reacts to a play against the Golden State Warriors during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, March 9, 2026, in Salt Lake City. | Rob Gray
Golden State Warriors guard Gary Payton II (0) dunks the ball against Utah Jazz forward Cody Williams (5) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, March 9, 2026, in Salt Lake City. | Rob Gray
The Utah Jazz bench reacts after a basket against the Golden State Warriors during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, March 9, 2026, in Salt Lake City. | Rob Gray
Utah Jazz forward Cody Williams (5) drives to the basket against Golden State Warriors guard L.J. Cryer (18) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, March 9, 2026, in Salt Lake City. | Rob Gray
Golden State Warriors guard De’anthony Melton goes up for a shot against Utah Jazz guard John Konchar (55) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, March 9, 2026, in Salt Lake City. | Rob Gray
Utah Jazz forward Blake Hinson reacts to a three point basket against the Golden State Warriors during the last minute of the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, March 9, 2026, in Salt Lake City. | Rob Gray
Harkless scored a career-high 16 points to go with a career-high tying six assists, but it was his signature unrelenting defense and cool head at the free throw line that stood out. Tshiebwe finished with 10 points and eight rebounds, but it was how he dug out the rebounds and how he tipped the ball out to teammates to keep possessions alive that made him an invaluable part of the Jazz’s win.
Advertisement
Hinson’s calling card is his sharp shooting, which was critical for the Jazz on Monday. He finished with 12 points, going 4-of-9 from 3-point range, including the clutch shot that gave the Jazz a three-point lead with less than 30 seconds to play, forcing the Warriors to play the free throw game down the stretch.
“They all recognize how they can contribute to winning,” Hardy said of the two-way players. “And they really — and I don’t mean this in a way that’s selling them short — but like, they stay in their lane, and they do what they do well.”
It would be easy for players on two-way deals, when given extended minutes, to do too much. It would be understandable for them to view those minutes as their chance to show the rest of the league every facet of their game and try to make a big splash. But there’s something to be said and admired for guys who are grinding through the G League and still playing team basketball.
“Everybody wants to see each other win, but especially those guys,” Hinson said of his two-way teammates. “There’s only three of us, so we’re like small little group, and it’s fun to see those guys be successful.”
Advertisement
And since we’re singing the praises for the not-oft praised, recently added Jazzman John Konchar deserves some shine for his role on Monday as well. Konchar scored just two points against Golden State, but he chipped in 10 rebounds, three assists and three steals while being one of the peskiest defenders of the night, who ruthlessly tracked the ball the entirety of his 33 minutes on the court.
The Jazz improved to 20-45 on the season and will host Jordan Clarkson and the New York Knicks on Wednesday.