Inside The Jazz

Utah Jazz Reveal Ace Bailey Status Update vs. Hornets

The Utah Jazz begin their summer league events in Las Vegas vs. the Charlotte Hornets on Friday.
Jun 25, 2025; Brooklyn, NY, USA;  Ace Bailey looks on after being selected as the fifth pick by the Utah in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Jun 25, 2025; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Ace Bailey looks on after being selected as the fifth pick by the Utah in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images

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LAS VEGAS, NV — The Utah Jazz will begin their Las Vegas Summer League action on Friday following a 3-0 start in Salt Lake City earlier this week, set to take on the Charlotte Hornets and fourth-overall pick Kon Knueppel.

However, it'll seemingly be a night without the Jazz's fifth-overall pick, as the latest team injury report revealed that Ace Bailey has been ruled out due to right hip flexor soreness.

Bailey ended up missing the Jazz's third and final game of the Salt Lake City Summer League after showing out in their first two wins, and will be primed to miss his second-straight contest against the Hornets on Friday.

Along with Bailey, Jazz second-round pick John Tonje (right ankle sprain) and two-way signee, RJ Luis (left knee soreness), have also been ruled out for Friday night, both of whom missed Utah's first three games in Salt Lake City.

In Bailey's most recent performance vs. the Memphis Grizzlies, he certainly made a strong statement after a quieter first game, finishing with a strong 18 points, seven rebounds, and three assists, helping alongside Brice Sensabaugh and his record-setting 37-point performance in their narrow winning efforts, 112-111.

Though this time in Vegas, the Jazz have opted to take the safer approach with their fifth-overall pick in a summer league setting once again, as Bailey will now eye Sunday vs. the Golden State Warriors for this next chance to take the floor in Vegas.

Certainly, a decision that's logical from a long-term perspective, but sucks a slight bit of life out of the Jazz's first time out in Vegas.

Ace Bailey stands with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the fifth pick by the Utah Jazz
Jun 25, 2025; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Ace Bailey stands with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the fifth pick by the Utah Jazz in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Instead, it'll be a show led by other first round pick Walt Clayton Jr., who comes off his best night vs. the Oklahoma City Thunder (20 points, four assists, 4/10 from three) along with Utah's trio of draftees from last year in Cody Williams, Kyle Filipowski, and Isaiah Collier.

Tip off for Jazz-Hornets begins at 5 PM MT.

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Jared Koch
JARED KOCH

Jared Koch is the deputy editor of Utah Jazz On SI. He's covered the NBA and NFL for the past two years, contributing to Denver Broncos On SI, Indianapolis Colts On SI, and Sacramento Kings On SI. He has covered multiple NBA and NFL events on site, and his works have also appeared on Bleacher Report, MSN, and Yahoo.

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