In a thrilling preseason encounter, former Rutgers teammates Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey faced off on Friday night as the San Antonio Spurs took on the Utah Jazz, generating excitement among fans who see them as strong contenders for the NBA Rookie of the Year.
Dylan Harper, selected as the No. 2 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, made a significant impact in his debut, helping the Spurs secure a 134-130 overtime victory. Harper kicked off the game with an immediate score and showcased his talents as a lead ball-handler, delivering assists to teammates Luke Kornet and the highly-touted Victor Wembanyama. He wrapped up the night with an impressive shooting performance, going 4-for-6 from the field, including 1-for-3 from beyond the arc, while contributing nine points and three assists without any turnovers during his 18 minutes of play.
On the other side, Ace Bailey, the No. 5 pick in the same draft, continued to demonstrate his prowess. In his previous preseason outing against the Houston Rockets, Bailey recorded an impressive 25 points and six rebounds. In this latest game against the Spurs, he played a pivotal role, logging 39 minutes on the court and finishing with 20 points, seven rebounds, two steals, and two turnovers while shooting 8-for-13 overall and 2-for-5 from three-point range.
As both teams prepare for their next challenges, the Spurs will complete the preseason with two games against the Indiana Pacers. Meanwhile, the Jazz are set to face off against the Dallas Mavericks and the Portland Trail Blazers in their final exhibition matches. This exciting start to their professional careers suggests that both Harper and Bailey are on promising paths, leaving fans eager to see how they will continue to develop in the regular season.