Utah Jazz: Favors, Williams miss Golden State game with injuries

It wasn't a typical Friday night for the Jazz.

First, Utah's game against Golden State at EnergySolutions Arena did not start until 8:35 p.m. because it was the second half of a nationally televised doubleheader on ESPN.

Second, the Jazz played the Warriors without two injured starters, center Derrick Favors and power forward Marvin Williams.

Third, the franchise honored Hall of Fame coach Jerry Sloan with a ceremony and banner raising during an extended halftime.

All in all, Jazz coach Tyrone Corbin could only hope his players would be able to put aside all the sideshows — as Sloan might say — as they tried to secure their third straight win.

"For a young group of guys — this is our first dance together — going through this can be distracting," Corbin said before the game.

"The whole day has been different with the game being delayed and the halftime ceremony being longer. We have to make sure we stay focused on the job at hand."

Just before tipoff, the Jazz announced Favors and Williams would not play and they would be short-handed.

Favors, who averages 13.5 points and 9.3 rebounds, missed the game because of right hip inflammation. Williams, who averages 9.3 points, was sidelined because of his soreness in right heel and Achilles.

In their place, Enes Kanter made his first start since Dec. 9 in place of Favors. Jeremy Evans made his third start of the season for Williams.

Evans took advantage of his opportunity and scored eight points in the first quarter — one more than his season average.

Kanter didn't start as well as Evans. He managed two points in the opening quarter, when the Warriors' Andrew Bogut dominated around the basket.

Bogut, the former University of Utah star, finished with six points, eight rebounds and four assists in his first 10-minute stretch of the game.

Evans added another jump shot in the second quarter before his took a nasty fall. While going for a rebound with 3:08 left in the half, he was sandwiched between Kanter and Bogut.

Knocked off balance, Evans landed on his back and went to the locker room, adding to the Jazz's manpower problem.

It could have been worse, however.

Three other players had been listed as game-time decisions after the morning shootaround. But Trey Burke (gastric distress), Richard Jefferson (gastric distress) and John Lucas III (sore back) were all active for the game.