:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/52384487/usa_today_9015760.0.jpeg)
The Utah Jazz (18-10) head out on the road tonight to face the Golden State Warriors (24-4). This will be the second time these two teams have played this year, the first was a seven point home loss for Utah where they were without four starters and one key bench player. The beat writers the the Deseret News (Jody Genessy), the Salt Lake Tribune (Tony Jones), KSL (Andy “Blarsen” B. Larsen) and the radio play-by-play voice (David Locke) have all tweeted out that the Jazz are going to be without PF/C starter Derrick Favors for tonight.
Derrick Favors will not play tonight, due to the back to back.
— Andy Larsen (@andyblarsen) December 20, 2016
No Favors tonight.
— Jody Genessy (@DJJazzyJody) December 20, 2016
Not a new injury for Derrick Favors. He's missing tonight but will play tomorrow. This is part of his rehab protocol.
— Jody Genessy (@DJJazzyJody) December 20, 2016
Favors is expected to play tomorrow night at home vs Sacramento
— Tony Jones (@tribjazz) December 20, 2016
Derrick Favors will not play tonight for the Utah Jazz. Part of his rehabilitation. Back to back games
— David Locke (@Lockedonsports) December 20, 2016
That sucks, but I completely understand. Favors is still pretty ginger and isn’t starting just yet. They are going to need him to be able to play in the playoffs this year, sweating games in December isn’t something to go crazy about. Not facing Golden State with our best hand would have happened regardless of Favors (George Hill and Alec Burks are still out). Furthermore, the Dubs are at full-strength.
The Sacramento Kings game is a game the Jazz need to win. Tonight’s game in Golden State is not. And you never know, Utah still could win tonight. But it’s not worth agitating Favors’ body so shortly after he has returned to the court.