Former Rutgers stars Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey gave NBA fans plenty to talk about Friday night as their preseason matchup turned into an early Rookie of the Year showcase.
Dylan Harper, the No. 2 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, led the San Antonio Spurs to a 134–130 overtime win over Bailey’s Utah Jazz. The 19-year-old guard made an instant impact, scoring on his first shot and showing off his playmaking touch with crisp passes to Victor Wembanyama and Luke Kornet.
In just 18 minutes, Dylan Harper shot 4-for-6 from the field (1-of-3 from beyond the arc) and finished with nine points, three assists, and no turnovers — a confident debut that impressed both fans and analysts.
Bailey, drafted fifth overall, continued his strong preseason for the Jazz. After scoring 25 points earlier in the week against Houston, he followed up with another strong outing — posting 20 points, seven rebounds, and two steals in 39 minutes. He shot 8-of-13 from the field, including 2-of-5 from deep.
Social media buzzed throughout the game, with fans already debating who might have the edge in the early Rookie of the Year race.
The Spurs will wrap up preseason play with a home-and-home series against the Indiana Pacers, while the Jazz face the Mavericks and Trail Blazers. Both teams open the regular season on Oct. 22 — the Jazz hosting the Clippers at 9 p.m. ET and the Spurs visiting the Mavericks at 9:30 p.m. ET.
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