Ace Laces Game Winning Three With 0.6 Remaining To Drown Pelicans
May 19th, 2028 | Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA.
Western Conference Finals | Game 2 | Utah Jazz (1-0) @ New Orleans Pelicans (0-1)
UTA | 31 | 23 | 31 | 30 | 115
NOP | 22 | 34 | 27 | 30 | 113
BANG! Ace does it again, drilling the game winning three just seconds after Darryn Peterson gave the Pelicans a one point lead with his own three.
| Name | Points | Reb | Ast | Stl | Blk | TO | FG | 3PT | FT |
| PG Anthony Black | 14 | 5 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5/11 | 4/6 | 0/0 |
| SG Cam Thomas | 17 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6/12 | 5/10 | 0/0 |
| SF Ace Bailey | 34 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 15/28 | 4/8 | 0/0 |
| PF Cameron Boozer | 18 | 11 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7/17 | 2/6 | 2/2 |
| C Bam Adebayo | 9 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3/5 | 1/2 | 2/2 |
| PG Keyonte George | 14 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 5/10 | 0/3 | 4/4 |
| Total | 115 | 46 | 22 | 7 | 1 | 10 | 45/98(45%) | 17/45(37%) | 8/9(89%) |
| Name | Points | Reb | Ast | Stl | Blk | TO | FG | 3PT | FT |
| PG Darryn Peterson | 32 | 7 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 11/19 | 6/11 | 4/4 |
| SG Dejounte Murray | 29 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 10/20 | 5/9 | 4/4 |
| SF Trey Murphy III | 7 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3/4 | 1/1 | 0/0 |
| PF Zion Williamson | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2/7 | 1/2 | 0/0 |
| C Yves Missi | 3 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1/3 | 0/0 | 1/2 |
| G Jeremiah Fears | 20 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 8/12 | 2/5 | 2/2 |
| Total | 113 | 49 | 29 | 8 | 1 | 14 | 43/86(50%) | 16/38(42%) | 11/12(92%) |
New Orleans, LA. - The New Orleans Pelicans fought valiantly in Game 2, with Darryn Peterson, Dejounte Murray, and Jeremiah Fears each scoring 20+ points on efficient shooting. But their offensive firepower proved irrelevant against the transcendent postseason brilliance of Ace Bailey and a Utah Jazz team that refuses to lose.
The Jazz won 115-113 to take a commanding 2-0 series lead—and the victory came down to one final, electrifying possession.
Trailing 112-110 with 23 seconds remaining, Peterson took over for the Pelicans. He called for a screen from Dejounte Murray, getting a switch onto Cam Thomas. Then, second-year pro went to work, creating just enough separation to launch a nuclear three-pointer that found the bottom of the net with 2.1 seconds left, giving New Orleans a 113-112 lead.
The Smoothie King Center erupted as the crowd believed they'd just witnessed the series-tying moment.
They were wrong.
Joe Mazzulla drew up a masterclass inbound play. Bailey came off a double screen on the wing, caught the pass from Bam Adebayo, and rose up in one fluid motion. The ball left his hands with 1.9 seconds on the clock. It was never in doubt.
Splash.
115-113, Utah. The Jazz mobbed Bailey at midcourt as the Pelicans' championship hopes took another devastating blow with 0.6 seconds remaining.
Bailey's Postseason Transcendence
Bailey finished with 35 points—his 12th game this postseason with 35 or more points. His performances have redefined what's possible for a young star in the playoff spotlight.
When asked about the game-winner, Bailey remained characteristically poised and reflective.
"This is what you work for moments like this," Bailey said. "You prepare all season so when it comes down to those final seconds, you're ready. I've had a great postseason, but that might be the most memorable moment of it all."
Despite the valiant efforts from Peterson, Murray, and Fears, the Pelicans continue to have a critical weakness: a severe lack of depth.
No Pelican scored in double figures outside of those three. Zion Williamson and Yves Missi combined for less than 10 points, a crippling absence of secondary scoring that New Orleans simply couldn't overcome.
ESPN's Stephen A. Smith didn't hold back in his postgame analysis:
"Look at what Ace Bailey's doing out there and look at what Zion's doing," Smith said. "This is what a young superstar looks like—someone who shows up in the Finals, who plays with intensity, who carries his team. That's championship basketball."
"Zion needs to put down the cheeseburger and show me SOMETHING, or this series ain't making it back to New Orleans. I can promise you that."
The Jazz will look to move one step closer to a sweep when Game 3 tips off in Salt Lake City on Friday night.
The Pelicans will need all of Zion Williamson and Yves Missi to finally step up if they have any hopes of avoiding a Finals sweep.
But if Bailey's postseason is any indication, Utah may be destined for the biggest stage.
