ALT LAKE CITY – Welcome to the Utah Jazz mailbag, where this week we look at how Ace Bailey can continue to earn more minutes.
Each week, we will send out a prompt on X and BlueSky asking for the questions you have about the Jazz.
Then, we’ll respond to as many as we can in that week’s Jazz mailbag in the Jazz Notes podcast.
Jazz Mailbag: When Will Ace Bailey Start Playing More?
At one point do we just accept that Ace is only going to get 20 or so minutes a game? The minute distribution for a lot of the young guys has been very frustrating for the early part of this season. Svi is the bane of my Jazz fandom.
— Sam (@SamJud_17) November 3, 2025
Question: At what point do we just accept that Ace is only going to get 20 or so minutes a game? The minute distribution for a lot of the young guys has been very frustrating for the early part of this season.
Answer: After shining in his first two preseason games, Ace Bailey’s momentum stalled due to knee tendinopathy and a subsequent illness. The setbacks kept him off the court for six days leading into the regular season.
When the season began, Bailey struggled to find his rhythm. Although he’s gradually settling into his role, his minutes have fluctuated between 13 and 22 per game.
Why is that, and should fans expect it to change?
Bailey’s limited playing time stems not only from his rawness but also from several unexpected developments that have disrupted his rotation—though these factors may shift in the coming weeks.
finding his pl𝙖𝙘𝙚 📍 pic.twitter.com/Z9DcnvLbLY
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) November 4, 2025
First, his early absence allowed Svi Mykhailiuk to start on opening night, when the Jazz stunned the Los Angeles Clippers in a blowout win.
The Jazz won two of their first three games, making it tough for head coach Will Hardy to alter a successful lineup, especially with Mykhailiuk playing well.
Jazz Mailbag: What has been the best development so far this season?
Second, after the 2-1 start, the team hit a rough patch, including a blowout loss to the Portland Trail Blazers. Hardy responded by playing Cody Williams and Elijah Harkless for the entire fourth quarter to send a message to the roster, limiting Bailey to just 15 minutes.
Third, Bailey played a career-high 22 minutes against the Phoenix Suns and seemed poised for a larger role against the Charlotte Hornets. However, Walker Kessler’s surprise shoulder injury and Taylor Hendricks’ move into the starting lineup in place of Kyle Filipowski likely led Hardy to preserve continuity elsewhere in the rotation, resulting in just 19 minutes for Bailey.
come for the @AiriousB dunk,
stay for the bench reax 😮💨#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/CcRvDjPsPt
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) November 3, 2025
Finally, Bailey appeared headed for a new career-high in minutes against the Boston Celtics, but sat out the entire fourth quarter of a close win. Hardy opted for the veteran presence of Harkless and Mykhailiuk with the game on the line.
Through seven games, a mix of illness, lineup success with Mykhailiuk, Hardy’s disciplinary decisions, an unexpected injury, and a crucial road win have kept Bailey from securing a consistent role.
Still, signs point to an expanding opportunity.
Despite it being early in the season, Hardy has already prioritized Bailey over third-year guard Brice Sensabaugh and second-year wing Cody Williams, both of whom were healthy scratches against Boston.
Bailey has also shown growth when he’s been on the floor, offering strong defensive length and a more disciplined shot selection over his last four games.
Meanwhile, Mykhailiuk has begun to struggle, averaging just 4.0 points on 24 percent shooting, including 12 percent from three over his last three outings.
Ultimately, Bailey hasn’t yet demanded major minutes with his play, but his role continues to grow incrementally.
The Jazz selected Bailey with the fifth pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, and his development remains a priority. Fans should expect to see more of him as the season unfolds.
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Ben Anderson is the author of the Jazz Mailbag, a Utah Jazz insider for KSL Sports, the author of the Jazz Mailbag, 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.