Updated Jan. 23, 2026, 1:31 p.m. ET
Utah Jazz rookie forward Ace Bailey set a new career high on Thursday and achieved some franchise history during a home loss to the San Antonio Spurs.
Bailey finished with 25 points, six rebounds and two assists in the 126-109 loss at the Delta Center. He went 11-of-16 from the field, including 2-of-3 from 3-point range, in 32 minutes, 19 seconds of work as the Jazz dropped to 3-10 in January.
The fifth overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft became the youngest player in franchise history to score at least 25 points in a game (19 years, 162 days). He mixed in a steady diet of shots from all over the court for his most efficient outing of the season.
“I love a player like Ace with his ability to score, having a big night without just bombing jump shots,” Jazz coach Will Hardy said. “Getting hot from 3 is amazing, I’m here for it, but it is different when he did it in such a strategic way: He shot his pull-up when he should have shot his pull-up; he finished a cut to the rim when he should have finished a cut … That stuff is what stands out to me.”
Bailey is averaging 10.9 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.6 assists while shooting 35% from 3-point range in 38 appearances with the Jazz. He is ninth in scoring among rookies and is one of eight first-year players with at least five 20-point performances.
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The former Rutgers standout returned to the starting lineup on Jan. 14 after recovering from a hip injury, averaging 16 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists in six games. He has scored 20 or more points in consecutive games for the second time this season.
Bailey appears to be in a solid groove on the court and will look to build positive momentum into the All-Star break next month. He has impressed those around him over the first half of the season and is showcasing himself at a high level nightly.