Jazz HC Will Hardy reveals why it’s a ‘joy’ to coach Ace Bailey
· Yahoo Sports
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Ace Bailey is still searching for his place in a crowded Utah Jazz rotation, but head coach Will Hardy has no complaints about what the second-year forward brings every day.
Before Utah’s home opener against the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night, Hardy was asked about Bailey’s role.
“His role is just that, is to give our team energy, to use his gifts to help our group. Ace is not short on energy,” Hardy said, via JP Chunga. “Those of you that have gotten to know Ace over the last year know that is just who Ace is all day, every day, and it’s a joy to coach him. It’s a joy to be around him because he brings that positivity and energy to the practice floor, the film room and the games.”
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Will Hardy was asked about Ace Bailey’s role pregame: https://t.co/WD01qgDVgNpic.twitter.com/Mv4JoxwONB
— JP Chunga (@JP_Chunga) October 24, 2026
Still, Hardy stressed that Bailey’s job goes beyond bringing a spark. “Ace’s goal, as for all of our players, is to impact the game on both sides of the ball and impact winning,” he said.
He added that young players often have to adjust after years of being the go-to option.
“It doesn’t mean that one day Ace won’t have the ball in his hands far more than he does right now,” Hardy said. “But with our team, the way it’s currently constructed, he’s maybe not getting as many play calls as he’s used to, so he has to find other ways to use all that energy that he has in the tank to help us win.”
That is the reality for Bailey this season. The No. 5 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft averaged 13.8 points as a rookie, but Utah has since added rookie Darryn Peterson to a group that already includes Keyonte George, Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr.
Bailey lost a camp battle with Jaxson Hayes and came off the bench in Wednesday’s season-opening loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. He responded with 12 points, five rebounds, three assists and three blocks in 24 minutes.
He moved into the starting five on Friday. Bailey had six points on 2-of-8 shooting, along with seven rebounds and two assists in 21 minutes, as the Jazz edged the Pelicans 120-119 for their first win of the season.