Utah Jazz head coach Will Hardy highlighted a collective effort after his team edged the Golden State Warriors 119-116 on Monday at Delta Center.
Hardy emphasized the contributions of multiple players, saying, “It’s a great great team effort. Eight guys in double figures. Lot of people made plays at different moments in the game. Obviously really happy for Blake. That’s a big shot there down the stretch.”
The coach noted the importance of cohesion and understanding teammates’ skill sets. “I think you’re seeing the cohesiveness of the team. How they feed off of each other. How they recognize each other’s skill sets,” Hardy said.
Hardy also praised Utah’s two-way players who made decisive contributions late. “It’s not an easy position in any NBA season for two-way guys to be in. What can you say about all of those guys? They’re all part of our program for a reason. They’re all team first guys. They all recognize how they can contribute to winning.”
Blake Hinson’s late three-pointer was a key moment in a game with 19 lead changes, giving Utah a victory despite losing eight of their previous nine contests. Hardy acknowledged the challenge of keeping young players focused. “The shots may go in, they may not, but in terms of how they play and the types of plays that they make, I think we all know what to expect from them.”
Kyle Filipowski continued his strong stretch, posting a third straight double-double with 19 points and 15 rebounds. Hardy emphasized his development and versatility: “I’ve been challenging Kyle since his first day. Flip has had a really wide variance. Sometimes he’s the four, sometimes he’s the five. The coverages you’re executing defensively are different. That makes it hard for him.”
Physicality around the basket was another point Hardy stressed for the team’s growth. “We need all of our young players to be more physical. Flip has been somebody who has stood out lately in that regard, but his teammates also like we’re seeing more physical play from everyone,” Hardy said.
Utah capitalized on its rebounding advantage, 50-46, and shot 27-of-29 from the free-throw line. Hinson finished with 12 points, including four three-pointers, while Elijah Harkless added a career-high 16 points and made two free throws in the closing seconds.
Hardy reflected on handling adversity and competing against playoff-experienced opponents. “I thought our guys handled themselves great. It’s a physical team that we just played. That’s a team that’s been in playoff series together,” he said.
The victory brought Utah to 20-45 in the Western Conference, while the Warriors dropped to 32-32, still fighting to remain in the Play-In Tournament race.
