Utah Jazz, Bailey and Summer League
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The first day of NBA Summer League action culminated in a matchup between two top-5 picks in Utah: V.J. Edgecombe and the Philadelphia 76ers vs. Ace Bailey and the Utah Jazz. Only one of them posted a star-level performance.
ESPN draft expert Jonathan Givony reported that his camp even threatened one of the franchises selecting in the top five: "Leading up to the NBA draft, Ace Bailey's representatives informed a team drafting inside the top five that they didn't want that team to select the Rutgers wing and that he wouldn't report if it did."
For the second straight game (the final game of Salt Lake City Summer League, followed by this first one in Vegas), Bailey was sidelined. In Utah the Jazz said it was because of right groin soreness and then were more specific in Vegas, calling the injury right hip flexor soreness.
Ace Bailey, at least so far, seems to be fitting in just fine in Salt Lake City. Bailey totaled 18 points, seven rebounds and three assists in the Utah Jazz’s 112-111 win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night in the Utah Summer League. He even threw down a huge lob after a perfect assist from Isaiah Collier in the second quarter.
Jazz rookie guard Ace Bailey showed out in second NBA Summer League performance after posting a dud in his debut
Next Stop – Vegas: The NBA 2K26 Summer League tips off Thursday in Las Vegas, where this year’s No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg is slated to make his debut as the Mavs face the Lakers (8 ET, ESPN) – highlighting a seven-game opening day slate.
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Edgecombe missed his two games because of a thumb contusion. Bailey missed his game because of a groin injury. Sorber will miss all of Summer League as he recovers from a February toe surgery. Thiero is expected to miss all of the Lakers' Summer League games as he recovers from a knee injury.
The 19-year-old poured in a game-high 28 points on 13 of 27 shooting, hauled in 10 rebounds, dished out four assists, made two blocks and had just two turnovers. While Edgecombe struggled from beyond the arc (1 of 7) and from the charity stripe (1 of 3), it won't take away from the fact that his Summer League debut was a resounding success.