Ace Bailey Hip Flexor Injury Sidelines Jazz Starter

Ace Bailey exited and missed the entire second half after the Jazz announced he suffered a "strained left hip flexor" during Utah's 131 129 win over the Pistons. There is no timeline for his return. Brice Sensabaugh filled Bailey’s spot, pouring in 15 of his 20 points after the break, and Utah snapped a four game skid. Bailey had been hitting his stride since becoming a starter, averaging 12.9 points on 46.8 percent shooting and 38.3 percent from three in 20 starts. Merlin sees a small test of the Jazz depth ahead. A hip flexor can be nagging, and the schedule gets tight with a second night of a back to back Saturday, a Dec 30 date with Boston and a long road trip to start the year. Sensabaugh’s burst soothes worries, but Bailey’s development and the team’s second unit will be under a microscope.