SAN FRANCISCO — The Warriors are going to the playoffs for the first time in two seasons.
Golden State clinched its spot in the postseason Saturday after Klay Thompson hit four 3-pointers in the fourth quarter en route to a 111-107 thrilling win over the Utah Jazz at Chase Center.
In what was the team’s most important game of the final stretch, with seeding implications on the line, Thompson led the Warriors on a 18-0 run, with Jordan Poole nailing a 3-pointer to give the Warriors a two-point lead, their first of the game, with about 3:30 left in the game.
With the Warriors up by one, Rudy Gobert made a critical turnover, throwing the ball out of bounds with about 21 seconds remaining.
Poole hit a pair of critical free throws to give the Warriors a three-point lead. And Draymond Green sealed the deal with a pair of free throws of his own.
The Warriors were able to win the game thanks to their perimeter shooting in the second half. They went 12 of 24 from 3-point range in the final two quarters.
Thompson went 8 for 17 from 3-point range, making six of those 3s in the second half. He finished with a team-high 36 points and became the seventh all-time leading scorer for the Warriors.
Poole, who made six 3s, continued his hot scoring streak, finishing with 31 points in what was his 16th consecutive game of scoring at least 20 points.
Meanwhile, Green finished with 10 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.
The Warriors had looked discombobulated in the second quarter, during which the Jazz went on a 16-0 run.
Poole helped reinvigorate the Warriors in the second quarter, scoring Golden State’s last 11 points of the quarter. However, untimely turnovers and fouls helped the Jazz secure a 58-45 lead heading into the locker rooms.
Saturday’s game was a possible preview to a first-round matchup. But with just over a week remaining in the regular season, the Western Conference seeding, outside of the Phoenix Suns and Memphis Grizzlies holding the top two spots, respectively, remains murky.
The Warriors, who are playing without Stephen Curry for the remainder of the regular season (sprained left foot ligament), will hit the road Sunday to play the Sacramento Kings. Tip-off is at 6 p.m.
