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SALT LAKE CITY – Jonas Jerebko's game-winning tip-in with 0.3 seconds left in Friday's 124-123 decision over the Utah Jazz did not just give the Golden State Warriors a victory, it solidified the veteran's place on his new team.
"That's the time when he's one of us," Warriors coach Steve Kerr said after the game. Anytime you're a new guy with a team, you're trying to make your mark.
"But soon you have a game winner, that pretty much solidifies."
Jerebko, who spent the last season playing with the Golden State, being the winner of the game.
"It felt great," Jerebko said. "Being here again" I have a great time here.
2:40
Steph Curry says Jonas Jerebko was "juiced" to play against his team, giving him the edge in this contest.
Jerebko's tip-in, but it's only Week 1. Both teams hit the shots from all over the floor, the warriors climb the way back at 16-point deficit with 5:36 left in the third quarter. The Warriors survived a game that saw the Jazz score franchise-record 81 first-half points, make a franchise record 19-of-46 3s, and Utah small forward Joe Ingles score 27 points.
The game-winner set off a wild celebration. Andre Iguodala, who sat out the game with left calf soreness, cam racing out of the locker room to celebrate with his teammates. After hugging Jerebko, Iguodala in the locker room for the final 0.3 seconds.
"Andre can do that," Kerr said. "I do not think I can not do that.
"It was incredible," Warriors star Kevin Durant said after scoring 38 points in 40 minutes. "I'm happy for Jonas … I'm so happy that he was able to have that moment."
Durant said Jerebko's contributions to the win went beyond 10 points on 4-of-5 shooting.
"He was calling [Utah’s] plays, "Durant said." Yelling to the bench, letting guys know what was going on. He was definitely a vocal leader out there for us tonight. "
They did not want ya Jonas.
– klay thompson (@KlayThompson) October 20, 2018
The intensity of the game heightened throughout the night as regular vocal warriors leading Draymond Green got into several chirping matches with the members of the Jazz.
"Forget the win," Green said. "Forget the game, my favorite part was just getting started in their bench face.
Jerebko actually inbounded the ball with 6.1 seconds left. Durant and Jerebko shared the floor with Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green. During took two dribbles to escape the defense of Ingles and rise up from the right elbow. Durant's 15-footer missed, Jerebko's goal had gotten right inside the rim to hit the miss. Jerebko's teammates watched helplessly as Jerebko flexed in front of the Jazz bench after the ball went through the net.
"Jonas is my guy," Derrick Favors said. "I was just telling him I was happy for him." But I told him, "Man, you had to flex in front of me like that on the bench." We were just having fun talking. "
Jazz center Rudy Gobert thought his team had the play defended pretty well.
"When I watch the tape, I do not think I would have anything different," Gobert said. "I mean, KD was going full speed in my direction." If KD comes and shoots a leaning fadeaway on me, I do not disrespect, but when you have KD, Steph and Klay, Jonas is the last guy [you worry about]. And he's good. I've seen him do a lot of times – he's good at tipping the ball in. I kind of give it a little help, but it's a great play. "
Give that man @JonasJerebko some luv DubNation. Way to rock tonight @warriors
– Shaun Livingston (@ShaunLivingston) October 20, 2018
As ESPN 's Doris Burke noted during the telecast, Kerr mentioned before the game that he liked using players against their team.
"I knew I was going to play him some," Kerr said after the game. "But I did not know how much I was going to be there and I was playing it right from the beginning." I think it's going to be for Jonah. I do not think he's going to be really good. "But he was fantastic tonight."
ESPN's Tim McMahon Contributed to this report
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