Ace Bailey’s promising rookie season with the Utah Jazz encountered a significant hurdle during a recent game as he suffered a left hip flexor strain, resulting in his early exit. The Jazz confirmed Bailey’s injury, marking a challenging moment for the talented rookie who had been showing considerable progress on the court.
Before sustaining the injury, the 19-year-old forward was enjoying a strong performance, scoring 17 points on 7-for-12 shooting, including three 3-pointers in his last game before Christmas. Bailey had also demonstrated consistency, contributing double-digit points in four consecutive outings prior to the injury.
Throughout the season, Bailey has participated in 29 games, starting in 20 of them, with averages of 10.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 0.7 steals per game. His shooting percentages stand at 44.1% from the field, 35.7% from beyond the arc, and 66.7% from the free-throw line.
The 6-foot-9 forward from Rutgers was the No. 5 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, and while there are areas in his game that require improvement, his scoring ability has been evident. The Jazz organization is hopeful that Bailey’s hip injury will not be prolonged, allowing him to return to the court and continue his development positively as the season progresses.