In 126 games throughout his time at Indiana, Trayce Jackson-Davis started every one of them. On Wednesday, he made his NBA debut against the Sacramento Kings during the preseason.
Coach Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors dialed Jackson-Davis’ number because starting center Kevon Looney wasn’t feeling well, and Jackson-Davis took advantage.
Jackson-Davis recorded a double-double in 25 minutes of play, scoring 13 points and pulling down 10 rebounds. Although he shot 6-for-14 from the floor, 1-for-2 from the free throw line, and committed five fouls, it was still a solid effort that he can grow on.
Jackson-Davis stated, “Enjoy the process as much as possible.” “I learned this morning that I would be starting, so all I have to do is play with my teammates, the veterans, and always be prepared to hear my name called. Thank you to Rudy, Draymond, CP3, and Steph for all of their assistance, including during today’s shoot where they were strategically placed and knew exactly what to do on the floor. You simply need to keep developing and piling those moments.”
With a historic 3-pointer from Steph Curry in the closing seconds of the game, the Warriors upset the Kings 116-115 to maintain their perfect record in preseason play.
Here are a few of Jackson-Davis’s performance’s highlights.
The Warriors have benefited greatly from Jackson-Davis’ ability to lob, something Kerr identified as a requirement before to the season. On Wednesday night, he made an alley-oop connection with Klay Thompson.
“Just trying to screen and get him open, and then obviously Steph, Klay, CP3, they all draw help and just always be ready to jump and go and get it,” said Jackson-Davis. “He kind of threw it up, and I didn’t know if he was going to bounce pass or, then he just threw it at the rim, then just finishing through contact.”
On Wednesday night, Jackson Davis faced off against Domantas Sabonis, a three-time NBA All-Star who finished with 12 points on 4-for-10 shooting, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists. Davis managed to hold his own against Sabonis.
According to Jackson-Davis, “It was fun.” It was an amazing experience to play with my teammates and take on a player of such caliber at home on a stage, while also receiving my first start. Give Sabonis credit; he’s an excellent player and an all-star, but he needs to be out there competing.”
After four NBA preseason games, Jackson-Davis’s performance on Wednesday was his best to yet. As a rookie on a team that is vying for a championship, Jackson-Davis will really have to earn his minutes because the Warriors have experienced players in Looney, Draymond Green, and Dario Saric.
For the novice, playing with these seasoned players has been beneficial.
Jackson-Davis praised Raymond Green, saying, “He’s been fantastic.” “He offered me a lot of advice tonight before the game on how to guard Sabonis and what works and doesn’t work for him. I felt that I accomplished that very effectively in the first half, and in the second, I kind of became a little lazy and fatigued and did some things that he hadn’t told me to do. Ultimately, though, he’s been fantastic for me and has helped me through this change.”
Before starting the regular season at 10 p.m. ET on October 24 against the Phoenix Suns, the Warriors play one more preseason game at 10 p.m. ET on Friday against the San Antonio Spurs.