Ace Bailey’s back issue won’t keep him out for long.
After leaving the Utah Jazz’s Summer League opener against the Atlanta Hawks with what the team called back spasms, Bailey’s status had been up in the air heading into the rest of the Salt Lake City slate. But according to Sarah Todd of Deseret News, the Jazz are planning to hold Bailey, Darryn Peterson and Cody Williams out of Tuesday’s game against the OKC Thunder, the second night of a back-to-back after their matchup with the Memphis Grizzlies.
The bigger takeaway for Utah: all three are expected to be available when Summer League action shifts to Las Vegas on July 9.
That matters because the Jazz’s first game in Vegas comes against the Washington Wizards and No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa, giving Utah a marquee early matchup with plenty of talent on the floor if Bailey, Peterson and Williams are all ready to go. Nothing is locked in yet, but the expectation is that Bailey will have a few days to rest and be back in the mix by Thursday.
Before Bailey exited early, Utah’s top young names gave the Jazz plenty to like in the overtime win over Atlanta. Peterson led the way with 28 points in 27 minutes, along with five rebounds and two blocks.
Williams added 17 points, five rebounds, two steals and a block. Bailey still made an impact in limited time, finishing with 10 points on 4/8 shooting and six rebounds.
So while Tuesday’s game in Salt Lake City may be missing some of Utah’s biggest summer league draws, the Jazz appear to be taking the cautious route with an eye on Vegas. If all goes according to plan, Bailey and company should be back under the lights soon enough.
In Other News...
Darryn Peterson Is Giving Jazz Fans Real Reason To Believe Again
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What makes the conversation even more interesting is how Peterson has stacked up alongside Cameron Boozer, another prospect drawing plenty of attention in the same window. Utahs draft decision now looks like the sort of swing that can shape the next phase of the team, and the encouraging part for the Jazz is that Peterson has already started to look like a player whose upside fits both the moment and the direction the organization wants to take. [Read more 🡒]
Jazz Put Keyonte George In A Tough Spot Again
Keyonte Georges next step with the Jazz is already drawing a familiar kind of front-office caution. ESPNs Tim MacMahon reported that Utah is taking a wait-and-see approach with the young guard, preferring to get a better read on him in a more competitive season before making any long-term financial commitment.
It is a stance Jazz fans have seen before, with the team using a similar path in Walker Kesslers contract situation last year. For George, it means the conversation around his future is tied less to promise than to proof, and Utah appears content to let another season do the talking before deciding how firmly he fits into its long-term plans. [Read more 🡒]