The Utah Jazz defeated the Indiana Pacers 152–128 on Tuesday night at the Delta Center, powered by rookie Ace Bailey’s breakout performance. The young wing scored 20 points on 7-of-13 shooting and grabbed four rebounds, marking his first 20-point night in the NBA.
Bailey impressed fans and teammates not only with his shot-making but also with his smart playmaking.
"One of my favorite plays of the game was in the second half. (Ace) ran a ball screen with Lauri (Markkanen). Ace made the read, threw it over the top, used his length and his size, and passed the ball over the top ... and Lauri had a catch and shoot," said Jazz coach Will Hardy.
This pass, rather than his multiple highlight shots, stood out as a sign of Bailey’s growing confidence and maturity on the court.
"Everybody was hyped," Bailey said with a smile, referring to the assist that set up Markkanen for a straightaway three-pointer.
The play energized both the bench and the crowd, as Hardy applauded enthusiastically and the team fed off Bailey’s poise and presence. The Jazz’s patient approach with the No. 5 overall pick this season appears to be paying off as Bailey continues to adapt smoothly to the NBA game.
Bailey’s mix of composure, playmaking, and efficient scoring highlights his potential as a key contributor for the Jazz in the seasons ahead.