Hayes or Bailey? Jazz Run Final Lineup Test in Phoenix

The Utah Jazz wrap up the 2026 preseason tonight on the road in Phoenix against the Suns. While there are a few players on the end of the bench fighting for roster spots, such as Blake Hinson, Trey Alexander and Tamar Bates, the center position is still unsettled.

It's their fourth preseason game, and they're looking for their third win. The Jazz open the regular season at Memphis on Wednesday.

The question is who starts next to Jaren Jackson Jr. and Lauri Markkanen on opening night. Jusuf Nurkic, the veteran who re-signed with Utah this past offseason, was likely to start. He has been out since Oct. 4 due to a partial torn plantar plate in the second toe of his right foot.

The Jazz plan on reevaluating him in two to three weeks.

Jaxson Hayes, who signed in July, could be using tonight's game as his final proving ground for the fifth spot in the starting lineup.

Hayes has been the one to step up in the frontcourt. Against San Antonio on Monday, coach Will Hardy started Keyonte George, Darryn Peterson, Markkanen, Jackson and Hayes. All five scored in double figures. Four of them played only the first half.

In the limited minutes without Nurkic, Hardy has called on Hayes instead of Ace Bailey. As of now, Hardy has played Hayes, who is a true five.

On the other side of that coin, Bailey is someone to watch for. Even though Hardy went with a bigger lineup on Monday, he could still explore a smaller group with Jackson at center, alongside George, Peterson, Markkanen and Bailey.

If Hardy goes small-ball tonight, expect it to be something he uses rather than a throwaway. There could be times this season where he uses that lineup often.

Four spots are locked heading into next week. George, Peterson, Markkanen and Jackson are expected. Peterson scored 14 points with five assists in 24 minutes on Monday. Markkanen played 19 minutes and Jackson played 18 minutes.

Those minutes suggest that the starters will play only a quarter tonight, if not a little more.

The depth behind Hayes is thin. Kyle Filipowski has been out with a lower-back issue with no timetable of return. That makes Mo Bamba a likely source of early frontcourt minutes until Nurkic or Filipowski can suit up. Bamba has logged more than 10 minutes a night during the preseason. He could play more tonight to give Hardy another look.

For Utah, tonight is less about the final score and more who is on the floor when Hardy makes his lineup decisions before they travel to Memphis.