March 20, 2026, 2:03 p.m. ET
Rookie Ace Bailey produced another 30-point performance on Thursday, helping the Utah Jazz snap a four-game losing streak in a win over the Milwaukee Bucks.
Bailey finished with a career-high 33 points, nine rebounds, four assists, three steals and one blocked shot in the 128-96 victory at the Delta Center. He shot 13-of-27 from the field, including 7-of-19 from 3-point range, in 34 minutes of work.
The fifth overall pick joined guards Stephen Curry and Jason Kidd as the only rookies in history with such a stat line in a game. He tallied 15 points in the fourth quarter alone as the Jazz pushed their advantage to as many as 37 points.
“Ace is continuing to grow before our eyes,” Jazz coach Will Hardy said. “The offense is what will be talked about a lot. He is shooting the ball really well right now — 19 3-point attempts is crazy, but he made a lot of good reads. … He doesn’t look as rushed on offense. His balance looks way better, and then I think his length and his youth and his energy defensively are really helping us. … I’m really proud of him.”
Bailey surpassed his previous career high of 32 points set on March 5, an outing in which he also knocked down seven 3-pointers. He is one of five Jazz rookies with multiple 30-point games and the first since Keyonte George in the 2023-24 season.
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The 19-year-old is now one of four first-year players in history with multiple games of at least 30 points and seven 3-pointers, joining Brandon Jennings, GG Jackson II and Kon Knueppel. He is fourth among all rookies this season in 3s (111).
“I don’t have Lauri (Markkanen) or Key, so it is just another step in my role and journey of creating for others,” Bailey said of stepping up with players out injured. “It is me scoring, I see the double or I see the pass, it is just me maturing and understanding the game better.”
Bailey is averaging 12.8 points, four rebounds and 1.7 assists while shooting 35.5% from 3-point range in 61 appearances, including 50 starts. He is sixth in scoring among rookies and one of six first-year players with multiple 30-point games.
The former Rutgers forward has been one of the top rookies this season and appears to have a bright future ahead. He wants to finish out the season on a high note and continue to learn as much as possible over their remaining 12 games.
“I’m learning still, especially with trying to be a leader with older guys on the team,” Bailey said of his role as a team leader. “It takes patience. I’m learning.”