Jazz Snap Losing Streak Against Kings, Bailey Leaves With Injury
Nov 28, 2025, 11:26 PM
Utah Jazz guard Ace Bailey (19) sits on the bench with a wrap on his right knee after getting injured in the second half of an NBA Cup game against the Sacramento Kings (Credit: Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News)
(Credit: Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz snapped their four-game losing streak, downing the Sacramento Kings 128-119 to close out NBA Cup play.
Keyonte George led the Jazz with 31 points, while Lauri Markkanen added 28, and Brice Sensabaugh contributed 20 off the bench.
With the win, the Jazz moved to 6-12 on the season, and 1-3 in Cup play.
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Related: What Do Utah Jazz Fans Have To Be Thankful For?
Jazz are better than the Kings, but they shouldn’t be
On paper, the Jazz shouldn’t be able to compete with this Kings team.
No one looks at Sacramento’s roster and expects a playoff contender, but the sheer talent and decades of combined basketball knowledge should make this matchup far more lopsided.
Yet if you watched the game, you wouldn’t believe the Kings’ starting lineup had 17 combined All-Star appearances while the Jazz had just one.
Both Russell Westbrook and Zach LaVine still have the talent to contribute to good NBA rosters.
FINAL: Kings fall to the Jazz, 128-119.
👑 Zach LaVine: 34 PTS, 6 AST
👑 Keegan Murray: 23 PTS, 9 REB
👑 Russell Westbrook: 16 PTS, 12 REB, 14 AST— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) November 29, 2025
Westbrook posted a 16-point, 12-rebound, 14-assist triple-double, and LaVine added 34 points on an efficient 12-for-22 shooting. The Kings played better with both on the floor, but their production doesn’t translate to team success.
Most Kings’ possessions rely on Westbrook or LaVine creating a play for themselves or others.
The duo accounted for 20 of the team’s 27 assists, while only three other players recorded an assist.
The Jazz, by contrast, had nine players register assists—three with six or more and seven with at least two.
Though both teams will finish near the bottom of the Western Conference standings, don’t be surprised if the Jazz end up with the better record.
The Kings have tried to keep this sinking ship afloat after winning 48, 46, and 40 games over the last three seasons. But with a 5-15 start, they may soon look to unload their veterans.
Ace Bailey Leaves Games With Knee Contusion
Ace Bailey left Friday’s game midway through the third quarter after suffering a knee contusion early in the second half.
The first-year guard collided with Kings veteran DeMar DeRozan on a fast break, and despite being called the foul, got the worst of the mix-up.
Ace Bailey and DeMar DeRozan collided on a fast break earlier, and Bailey was slow to get up and was rubbing his knee during the free throws. https://t.co/dxkHPOC4kP
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) November 29, 2025
Bailey continued to play after the collision, staying on the court for the ensuing two possessions, but lasted just 57 seconds.
Hardy said the team would take the injury day-to-day, while Bailey said after the game that he plans to play on Sunday.
Bailey is improving with the starters
The rookie had found a rhythm in the starting lineup over his last eight games, averaging 14.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.9 assists while shooting 52 percent from the field and 38 percent from three in his previous eight appearances.
How can Ace Bailey continue to improve within the offensive beyond simply playing and shooting more? pic.twitter.com/dDE0GXayrq
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) November 29, 2025
Beyond simply logging more minutes or exceeding 25 per game, the Jazz want the 19-year-old to take on a bigger on-ball role, particularly in the pick-and-roll.
Bailey has demonstrated strong passing ability, especially to Jazz bigs cutting toward the rim.
Over time, though, the Rutgers product may not be limited to initiating the pick-and-roll; he could also serve as the screen setter.
“We could go through 20 other teams in the league where they have perimeter players that are both handlers and screeners when they’re attacking the switch,” Jazz coach Will Hardy said. “Which, when the game slows down — fourth quarter, playoffs — there’s a lot of switching, and so you want to have people that can be in both spots. I do think that is a possibility for Ace’s future for sure.”
Against the Kings, Bailey recorded five points, four rebounds, and two assists, while shooting 2-5 from the floor and 1-2 from three in just 16 minutes on the floor.
Next Utah Jazz Broadcast
The Jazz will host the Houston Rockets on Sunday at 1 p.m. MST. The game will be televised on KJZZ, streamed on Jazz+, and heard on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone.
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Ben Anderson is the Utah Jazz insider for KSL Sports and the co-host of Jake and Ben from 10-12p with Jake Scott on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. Find Ben on Twitter at @BensHoops, on Instagram @BensHoops, or on BlueSky.
