SALT LAKE CITY – Ace Bailey and Walt Clayton Jr. are showing promising early returns for the Utah Jazz from the 2025 NBA Draft.
The two rookies scored 20 points each in the Jazz’s 134-130 preseason loss to the San Antonio Spurs.
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The rookies combined for 4️⃣0️⃣, dropping 20 apiece, each with some big shots down the stretch 🏔️#PlayerHighlights presented by @zionsbank pic.twitter.com/jpgqHebU4h
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) October 11, 2025
Ace Bailey, Walt Clayton Dazzle In Second Preseason Game
Bailey broke the 20-point mark in his second straight outing, finishing the evening with 20 points, seven rebounds, an assist, and two steals in nearly 39 minutes on the floor.
Perhaps most impressive was Bailey’s huge statistical output despite a relatively quiet night.
The 19-year-old’s second showing wasn’t nearly as flashy as Wednesday’s debut against the Rockets, but it was equally impressive, recording his points on an efficient 8-13 performance from the floor.
14 points knocked down so far tonight for @AiriousB 🂡 pic.twitter.com/SEpdSzAX8r
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) October 11, 2025
Bailey is a dynamite mid-range shooter and has repeatedly shown a willingness to move the ball when good shots aren’t presented to him. His rebounding has also been an asset for the Jazz, as has his tendency to make hustle plays.
The forward struggles to get all the way to the rim in San Antonio, due to a combination of 7-foot-5 Victor Wembanyama and a lack of weight on the rookie’s frame, but there’s no reason to believe that he won’t get stronger as he ages.
Overall, Bailey’s first two games couldn’t have gone much better for the Jazz, who have to be overjoyed that he fell to the fifth pick on draft night.
Walt Clayton Jr. Learns Quickly
After a difficult first game in Houston and a clunky first quarter against the Spurs, Clayton Jr. was the Jazz’s best point guard in San Antonio.
The 22-year-old recorded 20 points, five assists, and five rebounds in 34 minutes, shooting 6-12 from the floor, while quickly finding where he can be effective within the Jazz’s offense.
Clayton Jr. has had a few shots blocked at the rim early in his NBA career, and was too hesitant to take an open three early in San Antonio, but bounced back by aggressively looking for his shot when curling off screens, which opens up his playmaking and finishing at the basket.
floating in the open walter 🌊🛟 pic.twitter.com/tK1AS3u1FZ
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) October 11, 2025
The rookie is also the Jazz’s steadiest defender at the point guard position, which isn’t saying much considering the competition. However, it is still an advantage he has over Keyonte George and Isaiah Collier.
Clayton Jr. isn’t an ultra complex playmaker at this point, and most of his assists come off of simple drive and kick passes, made possible by the threat of his three-point shooting. But, offensive production doesn’t have to be complicated; it just has to be effective, and the Florida product is proving he has the chops to be a competent decision maker for the Jazz.
George has been the Jazz’s starting point guard through the first two games of the preseason, but don’t be surprised if Clayton Jr. makes a strong push for the job by midseason.
Other Notes From Game Two
Brice Sensabaugh led all scorers with 26 points and did most of his damage despite not shooting well from three.
The third-year guard shot 6-13 from the floor and 12-12 from the free-throw line, and was generally unguardable against the Spurs’ young perimeter defenders.
After a strong 4-8 shooting from three in his debut, Taylor Hendricks came back to earth in San Antonio, missing all four of his attempts from downtown.
However, he still finished with 15 points and five rebounds by using his stellar physical tools to get buckets in the paint.
we see you with the 𝐭𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 two, t-henny 🕺#TakeNote | @tayxhendricks pic.twitter.com/6kTTK1k1cD
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) October 11, 2025
Cody Williams bounced back from a quiet game one, scoring 12 points on 4-7 shooting while adding four rebounds and two assists. He also has the best hands on the Jazz defensively, and was overall impactful in a supporting role.
The Spurs shot 15-21 inside the paint in the first half of the game. Wembanyama was a big reason for that, as was the continued absence of Walker Kessler, but the Jazz have yet to show much promise defensively through eight quarters of preseason
Next Utah Jazz Broadcast
The Jazz will return home to face the Dallas Mavericks on Monday at 7 p.m. MST. The game will be televised on KJZZ, streamed on Jazz+, and heard on97.5 The KSL Sports Zone.
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Ben Anderson is the Utah Jazz insider for KSL Sports and the co-host of Jake and Ben from 10-12p with Jake Scott on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone . Find Ben on Twitter at @BensHoops, on Instagram @BensHoops, or on BlueSky.