Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) makes the face after scoring a three pointer against the Utah Jazz at Chase Center in San Francisco on Sun Apr 14, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

As it all played out Sunday afternoon, the Golden State Warriors (45-36) ended up in tenth place in the Western Conference slated to meet the Sacramento Kings Tuesday at Golden 1 Center. Golden State beat the Utah Jazz (31-50) 123-116 and as it turned out neither a win or lose would have affected the standings for the Warriors. Neither Stephen Curry nor Draymond Green took the court in this game resting them for the playoffs.

Game recap: The Warriors won both the first and the second quarters. Golden State took a 33-27 lead after the first 12 minutes and extended their lead at the half. The Jazz refused to back down trailing at the half 63.56. The Warriors had outscored the Jazz in the second quarter but only by a single point.

In the second half of play, Utah saw their first lead of the game in the third quarter. The Warriors tied up the quarter at 85 with three minutes left in the third. Utah had taken as much as a six point lead in the quarter but the Warriors pushed back every time.

After three quarters, Golden State had established a 95-89 lead. The writing, however, was on the wall with the Lakers beating the Pelicans 92-68 mid-way through the third quarter and the Kings absolutely destroying the Trail Blazers after three quarters 99-58.

In the early minutes of the fourth quarter, the Warriors took their largest lead of the afternoon 101-89. With the Lakers and the Kings well in-charge of their own games, 10th place would go to the Warriors win or lose. Golden State had a date with the Sacramento Kings up at Golden 1 Center Tuesday night April 16th in the 9-10 game. The Warriors went on to beat the Jazz 123-116 and Golden State was play-off bound.

Game notes: After a long and grueling 2023-24 NBA season, Sunday saw the final game of the regular season. There are numerous spots up for grabs in the Western Conference. The Warriors are watching the 8th-10th positions. Sunday afternoon, the Warriors took on the Jazz.

The Warriors got the win but the Los Angeles Lakers won and the Sacramento Kings won who also figure in this equation. The Lakers beat the New Orleans Pelicans 124-108 and the Sacramento Kings defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 121-82. The wild finish that was predicted the past few weeks made for some crazy games. Curry and Green did not take the court in this game.

Klay Thompson finished the game with 25 points, the team high. Andrew Wiggins had 19 points in this game and every Warrior who took the court in this game scored points with the exception of Jonathan Kuminga who came away empty. He did have seven assists. It now all comes down to a Northern California battle between the Warriors and the Kings Tuesday night to start off the 2024 NBA playoffs.