Will Hardy moves Ace Bailey into the Jazz starting five, and Jaxson Hayes answers with 17 off the bench
WhyNBA Sports Desk · Oct 24, 2026
The story
Utah Jazz coach Will Hardy changed his starting lineup after one game, moving rookie Ace Bailey into the first five and sending Jaxson Hayes to the bench.
The story
The bigger story of Friday's 120-119 home-opening win over the New Orleans Pelicans was how Hayes answered: 17 points on 7-of-8 shooting and a team-best plus-9 in 26 minutes, finishing the game on the floor.
The story
The switch puts Jaren Jackson Jr. at center with the starters, alongside Keyonte George, Darryn Peterson, Bailey and Lauri Markkanen, and it leaves Utah with a real choice to make before Sunday's visit from the Lakers.
Why Hardy made the change
The opening night in Memphis forced the issue. Hayes started that game in place of the injured Jusuf Nurkic, whom the Jazz list as out with a second plantar plate tear in his right foot.
Why Hardy made the change
Hayes blocked six shots in 26 minutes, but Utah lost 123-103 and was outscored by 27 points with him on the floor. Bailey, coming off the bench that night, scored 12 with three blocks.
Why Hardy made the change
Hardy explained afterward that Hayes at the five gives the Jazz a different set of matchups on offense, and that keeping him with the second unit also pairs him with Isaiah Collier, his pick-and-roll partner.
Why Hardy made the change
Collier had 10 points and seven assists in 18 minutes against New Orleans. Hardy also pushed back on the attention the decision drew. "Everybody gets hung up on who starts," he said, adding that Hayes handled the rotation change well.
What the first look showed
The new starting group did not have an easy night. Bailey went 2-of-8 from the field and 1-of-6 from three for six points, though he grabbed seven rebounds in 22 minutes.
What the first look showed
Jackson led everyone with 24 points and 10 rebounds, George had 19 points and 10 assists, and Utah built a 15-point lead before New Orleans won the third quarter 38-24.
What the first look showed
Hardy turned back to size to close it.
What the first look showed
With Zion Williamson attacking the rim on the way to 23 points, Hardy said keeping him out of the paint and rebounding were the deciding factors, and Hayes was the answer: the lobs, the rolls and the weak-side defensive plays that Hardy singled out after the game.
What the first look showed
Utah won the rebounding battle 42-38 and grabbed 14 offensive boards.
What the first look showed
Hardy noted that Hayes began training camp expecting a bench role before the Nurkic injury moved him up. Two games in, the Jazz have seen him do both jobs.
What comes next
The Los Angeles Lakers visit the Delta Center on Sunday, October 25, at 5:00 p.m. ET, bringing Walker Kessler back to Utah for the first time since he left.
What comes next
Against a center who blocked six shots against the Clippers on Friday, whether Hardy keeps Bailey in the first five or goes back to Hayes is the lineup question to watch. Follow it in the Lakers vs. Jazz Game Center.
Photo credit
The Jazz home arena in Salt Lake City, now the Delta Center, in October 2017. Photo by Yassie, CC-BY-SA-4.0, cropped and resized.
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