Ace Bailey gave Jazz fans a reason to get out of their seats Thursday night-if only for a moment. In the middle of a tough home loss to the Trail Blazers, the rookie forward delivered one of the most electric highlights of his young NBA career.
Early in the second quarter, Bailey showcased the kind of athleticism that can’t be taught. After a fast break opportunity developed, he tossed the ball off the backboard, timed his leap perfectly, and threw down a two-handed jam with authority. It was the kind of play that lives on in social media clips and rookie mixtapes-a reminder of the raw talent that Bailey brings to the floor.
While the dunk lit up the crowd, it wasn’t enough to shift the momentum. Utah fell to Portland, 135-119, in a game that started with promise but unraveled after halftime.
The Jazz actually held a slim 63-61 lead at the break, but the third quarter told a different story. The Blazers came out firing, outscoring Utah 40-23 in the frame and never looking back.
Still, there were some bright spots for the Jazz, and Bailey was one of them. He logged 34 minutes and put together a solid all-around performance: 15 points, eight rebounds, and three assists on 7-of-15 shooting. The long-range shot wasn’t falling-he hit just one of five from deep-but his energy and versatility were on full display.
ACE BAILEY OFF THE BACKBOARD TO HIMSELF FOR THE SLAM 🍿
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 13, 2026
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Bailey wasn’t alone in the scoring column. Brice Sensabaugh led the team with 28 points and added four rebounds, continuing to show his scoring instincts.
Isaiah Collier chipped in 15 points and a team-high nine assists, while Kyle Filipowski matched those 15 points and pulled down nine boards of his own. Svi Mykhailiuk added 14 points and three assists, and Blake Hinson gave the bench a lift with 11 points.
Even with six players in double figures, the Jazz couldn’t keep pace with a Portland team that found its rhythm in the second half. The loss drops Utah to 18-38 on the season, holding steady at 13th in the Western Conference. They sit three games ahead of the Pelicans and six above the Kings, but trail both the Mavericks and Grizzlies in the race for positioning.
With All-Star Weekend on deck in Los Angeles, the Jazz will get a much-needed break. Their next test comes on the road against the Memphis Grizzlies on February 20. For Bailey and the rest of this young squad, the second half of the season will be about growth-and if that dunk was any indication, Bailey’s just getting started.