2 min read • December 31, 2021
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Advantage: Jazz
When the Warriors face the Jazz in Utah on Saturday in a matchup of the West's No. 1 and No. 3 seeds, it remains to be seen whether or not they will have Draymond Green in uniform.
Green was placed in health and safety protocols on Dec. 26, meaning even under the newly-adopted accelerated timeline he would not be able to return by Jan. 1 simply by isolating. He will have to post 2 negative tests at least 24 hours apart to be cleared for the contest and re-join Steph Curry and co.
Even if he does play, however, he and Jordan Poole – who was set to return himself Thursday night in Denver before the game was postponed – will have the challenge of playing in Salt Lake City, which, at 4,226 feet, is the 2nd-highest home-court elevation in the NBA. Finding their wind combatting the high-powered Jazz offense will be even more difficult.
The Jazz, meanwhile, will have Donovan Mitchell back from a lower back strain, Mike Conley fresh after a scheduled rest day on Friday, and no players currently in protocols. Joe Ingles is listed as day-to-day with his own lower back strain, and is questionable for Friday's game versus Minnesota.
Utah has been remarkably healthy this year: 8 of its top 9 scorers have played at least 30 of 35 possible games heading into Saturday.
The Warriors remain without Klay Thompson and James Wiseman as each are slowly making their way back from serious injuries.
Secondary Advantage: Jazz Coaching Staff
The Warriors are also dealing with a COVID-19 outbreak in their coaching staff, as top assistants Mike Brown and Chris DeMarco are in protocols. Kenny Atkinson, meanwhile, has yet to be cleared for travel after recently returning from a leg injury he suffered in late October, according to The Athletic's Anthony Slater.
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