Ace Bailey Shines in First Start Despite Jazz Loss
On Monday night, Ace Bailey made a strong impression in his first career NBA start, though the Utah Jazz fell 120-113 to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The game marked the Jazz's third consecutive defeat and the sixth loss in seven games.
Key Performances
- Keyonte George led the Jazz with 27 points.
- Anthony Edwards scored 35 points for Minnesota.
Ace Bailey's Impact
With multiple injuries in Utah's frontcourt, rookie Ace Bailey stepped up confidently. The fifth overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft started slow, missing his first three shots, but rebounded to finish with 10 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and three steals, playing a career-high 28 minutes.
“I thought Ace did great,” Jazz coach Will Hardy said. “I think for the most part, he played within the system offensively, and his burst and athleticism are very evident, not just off the dribble, but cutting, crashing the glass. He gives us a really good lift.”
Bailey impressed with key plays in the fourth quarter, including a difficult one-foot fade-away jumper and a reverse dunk in transition.
Game Summary
The Timberwolves outpaced the Jazz, leveraging strong performances to snap the Jazz's brief winning hopes, with the rookie Bailey showing promising potential for Utah's future.
Author's summary: Ace Bailey's promising NBA debut highlighted his athleticism and potential, though it wasn't enough to prevent the Utah Jazz from falling to the Timberwolves amid a tough losing streak.