It’s hard to imagine things going better than they did in Ace Bailey’s preseason debut for the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night in Houston.
If there were any doubts about his potential, it took less than one game for those doubts to be dashed away.
The No. 5 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft finished with a team-leading 25 points in a team-high 31 minutes to go with six rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block.
Maybe more important than the actual numbers was the way Bailey played and the variety to his game that he showed.
He scored off the dribble, at the rim, from the midrange, from beyond the arc and from free throw line, and nearly every time he touched the ball, he made quick decisions and never stalled the offense.
Playing against Kevin Durant, Bailey’s favorite player growing up, you couldn’t help but notice the similarities in style. One of Bailey’s go-to shots is a quick, squared, pull-up from the free throw line or elbow — a shot he hit multiple times on Wednesday night — and the quick, high release and comfortability was very Durant-esque.
Bailey also seemed to be making a lot of literal noise on defense, which is a good sign from a rookie. He picked up a couple steals, anticipating passing lanes and was able to capitalize on the other side of the floor.
Obviously this is just one game, and it was a preseason game at that. The players aren’t giving it 100% on either side of the ball and the Jazz were playing without so much of their roster — Lauri Markkanen (left wrist), Walker Kessler (left shoulder), Kyle Filipowski (lower back) and Isaiah Collier (right hamstring) are all nursing minor injuries.
Even so, this was definitely a higher level of competition than Summer League or anything else Bailey has experienced to this point, and looking like the most well-rounded player on the court for the Jazz was a positive sign.
Utah ultimately lost to the Rockets, 140-127, but on a night when the result really didn’t matter, there were a couple of other Jazz players who shined.
Brice Sensabaugh came off the bench for 24 points, including going 6-of-10 from 3-point range. He also had a couple of good defensive moments and a driving dunk that brought the rest of the team to their feet in celebration.
And nearly a year after the traumatic injury that ended his 2024-25 season, Taylor Hendricks was back on an NBA court. He started for the Jazz and quickly made his mark on the game, hitting fluid, easy shots from downtown.
Hendricks finished with 15 points — shooting 4-of-8 from deep — four rebounds, three assists and two steals. What stood out the most though, was that Hendricks didn’t seem timid or worried when jumping or landing. It was just good to see him on the court, happy and healthy once again.
The Jazz will stay on the road for one more game. They’ll be in San Antonio on Friday to face Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs before returning home for two preseason games at the Delta Center.