NBA Playoffs 2018: Ranking the 5 best possible potential matchups

5. Golden State Warriors vs. Utah Jazz

If the regular season were to end today, this would be a first-round series. And for the defending champion Warriors, that would be the worst possible result.

They’ve faced more than their fair share of injuries late in the season. In their most recent game on Sunday they were missing all four of their All-Stars, with Kevin Durant (ribs), Stephen Curry (knee), Klay Thompson (thumb) and Draymond Green (illness) all out.

Durant, Thompson and Green are all expected to be back before the playoffs begin on April 14. Curry’s injury, however, is a whole different matter.

More from Sir Charles In Charge

• LeBron James working to assemble super team for USA Basketball in 2024
• Dillon Brooks proved his value to Houston Rockets in the 2023 FIBA World Cup
• NBA Trade Rumors: 1 Player from each team most likely to be traded in-season
• Golden State Warriors: Buy or sell Chris Paul being a day 1 starter
• Does Christian Wood make the Los Angeles Lakers a legit contender?

Coach Steve Kerr was definitive on Sunday when asked about Curry’s injury, a Grade Two MCL sprain:

"“There’s no way he’s playing in the first round.”"

With that in mind, we should take a look at the Utah Jazz. They’ve been one of the hottest teams in basketball since Rudy Gobert‘s return from injury, going 24-6 since January 19.

Their defense has been elite in that span, as they’ve held oppositions teams to just 97.6 points per game. That would place them first in the league over the whole season.

Their opposition have shot just 43.1 percent from the field and 33.9 percent from 3 since Gobert came back. Those are some elite numbers, and they make the Jazz the most dangerous lower seed in the NBA.

Their offensive play has been less spectacular, but more than enough to vault them up the standings.

Donovan Mitchell (20.3 PPG) is one of the best scoring rookies in recent memory and is hitting huge shots in clutch moments.

Joe Ingles has quietly become one of the best glue guys in the league. He’s fourth in the league for 3-point shooting (44.7 3PT%), third among small forwards in assists (4.5 APG) and had been defending at a high level.

With what looks like a hodgepodge of role players filling the rest of the roster, the Jazz have been playing like one of the best teams in the NBA. If they face the Warriors without Curry, it could be the best chance for an early upset.