Jazz fans will love early Darryn Peterson-Ace Bailey preseason connection

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The Utah Jazz are building around a pair of young cornerstones, and Darryn Peterson and Ace Bailey gave fans an early glimpse of what that could look like in Friday’s preseason finale against the Phoenix Suns.

Early in the game at Mortgage Matchup Center, Peterson spotted Bailey slipping behind the Suns’ defense and lofted a lob toward the rim. Bailey rose up, caught it and threw it down.

It was only one play in an exhibition game, but it is exactly the kind of chemistry the Jazz hope to see a lot more of in the years ahead.

Utah went on to edge Phoenix 119-116, finishing the preseason on a winning note. Peterson stayed involved late, scoring several times down the stretch, while Bailey added another bucket in the closing stages. Jalen Green and Devin Booker each reached double figures in the first half for Phoenix.

Peterson, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft out of Kansas, has quickly settled into the Jazz’s plans. The 19-year-old guard scored 23 points in his Delta Center debut earlier in the preseason and has shown the shot-making that made him one of the most coveted prospects in his class.

Bailey, the No. 5 overall pick in 2025, is entering his second season with noticeable growth. Head coach Will Hardy recently praised the forward’s defense and conditioning, saying he is “at a way different level than he was last year.” Bailey finished with three steals in Utah’s 119-109 preseason win over the San Antonio Spurs on Monday.

The Jazz were without Jusuf Nurkic, Blake Hinson and Trey Alexander on Friday, while Kyle Filipowski made his preseason debut after missing the first three exhibitions with a back injury.

Peterson’s playmaking paired with Bailey’s athleticism gives Utah a dynamic young duo to build around. The Jazz still have veterans like Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. to lean on, but the long-term vision clearly centers on their two young stars.

That vision gets its first real test soon, with the games finally starting to count. Utah opens the regular season on the road against the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday, Oct. 21, before returning home for five straight games.

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