WASHINGTON (Interstat) — Ace Bailey scored a career-high 32 points, including 21 in the first half, and the Utah Jazz snapped a seven-game losing streak with a 122-112 victory over the Washington Wizards on Thursday night at Capital One Arena. The loss extended Washington’s skid to seven games. The Jazz built a double-digit lead by halftime and held off a third-quarter push from the Wizards. Isaiah Collier added 27 points and 11 assists for Utah, while Kyle Filipowski contributed 20 points and 14 rebounds. Julian Reese posted 18 points and 20 rebounds for Washington. Trae Young, in his Wizards debut after a January trade, scored 12 points in 19 minutes on a minutes restriction.

WASHINGTON (Interstat) — In a season defined by struggles for both franchises, the Utah Jazz found a rare formula for success on Thursday night: a blistering start, a dominant performance from their rookie backcourt and enough composure to withstand a furious second-half rally. The Jazz, fueled by a 37-point first quarter and a combined 59 points from guards Ace Bailey and Isaiah Collier, held off the Washington Wizards 122-112 at Capital One Arena. The game’s most critical phase was its opening act. Utah, the visiting team, came out with relentless energy, hitting its first four shots and forcing three Washington turnovers in the first three minutes. This set a tone of offensive efficiency and defensive disruption that the Wizards could never fully overcome. The Jazz led by as many as 14 in the first quarter and took a 67-49 advantage into halftime, having shot over 51% from the field while limiting Washington to 36% shooting. Washington, showing the fight that has characterized several of their recent outings, mounted a significant challenge in the third quarter. Led by the interior presence of Julian Reese and the outside shooting of Tre Johnson, the Wizards outscored Utah 35-26 in the period. A 15-4 run, capped by a Trae Young assist on a Bilal Coulibaly three-pointer, cut the Jazz lead to 77-74 with just over four minutes left in the third, bringing the crowd of 17,689 to life. However, Utah’s young core responded to the pressure. Every time Washington drew close, the Jazz answered with a key basket. After the Wizards pulled within three, Cody Williams found Kyle Filipowski for a crucial three-pointer to stem the tide. In the fourth quarter, with the lead trimmed to five, consecutive three-pointers from Brice Sensabaugh and Bailey pushed the advantage back to double digits with under five minutes to play, effectively sealing the game. The Jazz were led by Bailey, the 6-foot-9 guard who scored a game-high 32 points on an efficient 12-of-22 shooting, including five three-pointers. He added two rebounds, a block and two steals. His backcourt partner, Collier, orchestrated the offense with 27 points and 11 assists, demonstrating poise in managing Utah’s attack. Filipowski, named Utah’s top star, recorded a double-double with 20 points and 14 rebounds, along with three assists and two blocks. His activity on both ends provided a crucial anchor. Cody Williams contributed 13 points and seven assists, while Mo Bamba pulled down 12 rebounds in 17 minutes off the bench. For Washington, rookie Julian Reese was a force, compiling a monstrous double-double of 18 points and 20 rebounds. Bilal Coulibaly scored 17 points, and Tre Johnson added 15 points and eight rebounds. Veteran guard Trae Young finished with 12 points and six assists but struggled with his shot, going 3-of-12 from the field and committing five turnovers. Statistically, Utah’s victory was built on superior shot-making and ball security. The Jazz shot 47 of 92 from the floor, compared to Washington’s 36 of 77. While the Wizards made 18 three-pointers to Utah’s 15, the Jazz dominated points in the paint and capitalized on Washington’s 19 turnovers, converting them into 12 steals and 28 points off turnovers. Utah also won the possession battle, posting an offensive rating of 129.0 on 95 possessions. The loss dropped Washington to 16-46 on the season, while Utah improved to 19-44. Both teams remain near the bottom of their respective conferences. The result was a mild upset, as national statistical models had projected Washington with a 64.5% probability to win, and the Wizards had been installed as 1.5-point pregame favorites. The game’s total points, 234, fell under the pregame over/under line of 241. Utah will continue its road trip against the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday. Washington begins a four-game road swing at the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday. The two teams are scheduled to meet again in Salt Lake City on March 25.

Preview: Jazz at Wizards, March 5, 2026 WASHINGTON (Interstat) — Two teams near the bottom of the NBA standings will meet Thursday night when the Washington Wizards host the Utah Jazz at Capital One Arena. The matchup features the Western Conference’s 14th-place Jazz (18-43) against the Eastern Conference’s 15th-place Wizards (16-45). Both clubs are mired in extended losing streaks, with Utah having dropped five straight and Washington losing seven of its last eight. The game offers a showcase for young backcourt talent. Utah’s Keyonte George enters on a scoring surge, coming off a 36-point performance in a 128-125 loss to Denver on Monday. Over his last two games, the guard is averaging 26.5 points. For Washington, rookie guard Will Riley has seen his role expand dramatically. After sporadic minutes in February, Riley has logged at least 33 minutes in three consecutive games, averaging 15.0 points, 2.7 rebounds and 3.0 assists in that span. Utah’s recent skid includes narrow defeats, with three of their last five losses coming by five points or fewer. Their offense has shown flashes, scoring 125 points in the loss to Denver, but defensive consistency has been an issue. Washington’s struggles have been more pronounced, allowing an average of 124.6 points during their 1-7 stretch. Their last win was a 131-118 victory over Indiana on Feb. 20. The Jazz won the teams’ first meeting this season, 121-109, in Salt Lake City on Jan. 15. They will complete a two-game season series in Utah on March 25. For the Jazz, this contest opens a two-game trip before returning home. The Wizards are in the first game of a brief one-game homestand before embarking on a four-game road swing beginning Sunday in New Orleans. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST.