By R.L. Bynum
RJ Davis’ sensational rookie season in the G League reached a new milestone Thursday night when he recorded his first career triple-double.
The five-year Carolina star collected 30 points, 10 rebounds and a season-high-tying 10 assists and was 11 of 22 from the floor in his South Bay Lakers’ 125–118 victory over the Salt Lake City Stars at the UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo, Calif.
“It’s my first ever triple double ever in all my basketball career,” said Davis, adding that he had one in high school but contended that that achievement “doesn’t really count.”
Davis scored 25 of his 30 points in the second half, repeatedly delivering timely buckets as Salt Lake City cut a 22-point deficit down to make it close. But Davis hit a step-back 3-pointer with 29 seconds left to push the Lakers’ lead back to seven and sealed the game.
The big game came after Davis had 21 points, three 3-pointers, and six assists in South Bay’s 121–107 home win on Tuesday over the College Park Skyhawks.
Davis is averaging 18.4 points while shooting 43.4% from the floor, 39.3% from 3-point range and 87.7% from the free-throw line with 4.5 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game.
His season high is 31 points on Nov. 8 against the Valley Suns, and his season rebounding high is 11 against the Oklahoma City Blue on Dec. 17. He also had 10 assists on Jan. 24 against the Mexico City Capitanes.
With the game in the balance late, Davis knew he was one rebound away, but he wasn’t tracking it alone.
“Shout out to [head video coordinator Austi Pope], because he looked after me, because I didn’t know you say you need one more,” Davis said. “So, I’m like, all right, let me just try to get, go ahead and get one more rebound.”
The final rebound didn’t require a scramble so much as perfect timing and a little fortune.
“Luckily, the ball kind of fell right into my hands,” Davis said.
Davis said the stat line was less about hunting numbers and more about how the game asked him to play.
“I think just sometimes the game is called for different things,” he said, saying that earlier stages of his career leaned heavily toward one mode. He described a shift that has been sharpened by the pro pace and the daily demands of his new role.
“I feel like I found a balance now in terms of my game,” Davis said. “I feel like earlier in my game, college was like, score, score, score.”
Now, he said, the challenge is choosing the right moments, not simply creating them.
“Now it’s more about finding that balance right between play-making for yourself and also play-making for others,” he said
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That balance, in his view, is part growth and part environment.
“It’s a fast-paced game, so you’re playing 12-minute quarters,” he said, noting the rhythm and spacing that can reward quick reads and decisive action. Even so, he framed the shift as earned rather than automatic.
“It took me a long time, but honestly, that’s just part of my journey,” Davis said, tracing his journey to emulating Derek Rose, who was his favorite player while he was growing up. “Just watching him for over just like his intensity, mindset … that’s when I started to try and mimic his game a lot.”
The edge that shows up in his drives to the basket and late-game poise, he suggested, was built through years of hearing that he wasn’t as good as he can become.
“But just like my journey from high school to college up until now, it’s always been the same theme of being doubted, being overlooked,” Davis said. “So, I guess nothing new to me, or having to prove myself all over again, my whole life.”
The path, since not getting drafted, has demanded flexibility as much as confidence, and Davis acknowledged the grind of bouncing between opportunities.
“That’s just life, right?” he said. “You’re gonna take some punches and get knocked down. So, it’s basically how you respond.”
He also made clear he didn’t arrive in the G League to blend in.
“Even coming into the G League, I wanted to dominate,” Davis said. “I wanted to just showcase what I can do.”
While his scoring has always been the headline, he pushed back on any one-dimensional label.
“I feel like I’m always known to score, but it’s more to my game, rather than the offense side,” Davis said. “I also play defense.”
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What did he want from his first season as a pro?
“My main goal was just to kill; doesn’t matter how it looked,” he said. “Didn’t care about stats.”
The triple-double, then, was a byproduct, not the mission, even if it came with a grin and a sense of accomplishment.
“One thing that I want to continue to improve on and just add later [is] probably just playmaking, being more vocal and just continue to be a pest on the defensive end,” Davis said.
Harrison Barnes, San Antonio Spurs forward
Age 34 | 6–7, 225 | 15th season | $8 million salary | UNC 2010–12 (2 seasons)
Roster situation — Backup small forward
Team record — 11–2; 1st in Western Conference
Season statistics — 11 games, 6.0 points, 42.6 FG%, 40.0 3P%, 80.0 FT%
Friday — Spurs 123, Warriors 85 (home) | didn’t start: 21:19, 11 points, 4–9 FG, 3–6 3FG, 0 FT, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 turnover, 1 foul, 0 plus/minus, 5.9 game score
Next game — 5 p.m. Sunday at Utah
Leaky Black, Sacramento Kings forward
Age 27 | 6–6, 209 | 4th pro season | $678,882 salary (2-way contract) | UNC 2018–23 (5 seasons)
Season NBA statistics — 6 games, 1 start, 5.8 points, 48.0 FG%, 45.5 3P%, 1–2 FT, 3.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.5 steals
Team record — 1–11; 14th in Western Conference
Season NBA statistics — 7 games, 1 start, 5.0 points, 41.4 FG%, 40.0 3P%, 50.0 FT%, 3.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.3 steals
Friday — Trail Blazers 120, Kings 107 (home) | didn’t start: 11:47, 0 points, 0–2 FG, 0–0 3FG, 0 FT, 0 rebounds, 0 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 1 turnover, 1 foul, −11
Next game — 9 p.m. Sunday vs. Oklahoma City
Tony Bradley, Utah Jazz center
Age 28 | 6–10, 248 | 9th NBA season | $2.44 million salary | UNC 2016–17 (1 season)
Roster situation — Third-string center
Team record — 1–12; 15th in Western Conference
Season statistics — 6 games, 8 points, 3–6 FG, 2–2 FT, 16 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block
Friday — Rockets 125, Jazz 118 (road) | didn’t start: 12:28, 0 points, 0–1 FG, 0 FT, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 0 turnovers, 4 fouls, −5, 0.3 game score
Next game — 5 p.m. Sunday vs. San Antonio
Cameron Johnson, Denver Nuggets forward
Age 30 | 6–8, 210 | 8th season | $22.5 million salary | UNC 2017–19 (2 seasons)
Roster situation — Starting small forward ahead of DeMar DeRozan
Team record — 6–4; 9th in Western Conference
Season statistics — 7 games, 12.1 points, 50.0 FG%, 43.2 3P%, 5–8 FT, 3.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists
Wednesday — Nuggets 123, Grizzlies 118 (road) | 23 points, 9–15 FG, 4–7 3FG, 1–1 FT, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 foul, +3, 20.8 game score
Next game — 7 p.m. Saturday at New Orleans
Walker Kessler, Los Angeles Lakers center
Age 25 | 7–2, 245 | 5th season | $30.11 million salary | UNC 2020–21 (1 season)
Roster situation — Starting center ahead of Kevon Looney
Team record — 11–2; 2nd in Western Conference
Season statistics — 13 games, 14.5 points, 67.5 FG%, 61.4 FT%, 10.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.3 steals, 2.2 blocks
Wednesday — Lakers 123, Bucks 112 (road) | started: 29:13, 10 points, 5–10 FG, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 1 turnover, 4 fouls, +19, 11.1 game score (double-double)
Next game — 4 p.m. Sunday at Phoenix
Drake Powell, Brooklyn Nets forward
Age 21 | 6–5, 195 | 2nd season | $3.54 million salary | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Season NBA statistics — 4 games, 8 points, 3–4 FG, 1–2 3FG, 1–4 FT, 4 rebounds, 6 assists
Team record — 3–8; 13th in Eastern Conference
Sunday — Mavericks 130, Nets 93 (road) | didn’t start: 9:25, 2 points, 1–2 FG, 0–1 3FG, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 turnovers, -8
Wednesday — Nets 145, Pelicans 111 (road) | 6 points, 2–2 FG, 1–1 3FG, 1–2 FT, 1 foul, -4, 4.6 game score
Next game — 8 p.m. Saturday at Memphis
Day’Ron Sharpe, Brooklyn Nets center
Age 24 | 6–10, 265 | 6th season | $10 million salary | UNC 2020–21 (1 season)
Roster situation — Starting center ahead of Moritz Wagner
Team record — 3–8; 13th in Eastern Conference
Season statistics — 11 games, 8.2 points, 52.5 FG%, 35.7 3P%, 72.4 FT%, 6.8 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.5 blocks
Wednesday — Nets 145, Pelicans 111 (road) | 15 points, 5–6 FG, 2–3 3FG, 3–4 FT, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, 4 blocks, 2 turnovers, 2 fouls, +20, 18.9 game score
Next game — 8 p.m. Saturday at Memphis
Coby White, Charlotte Hornets guard
Age 26 | 6–4, 210 | 8th season | $26.81 million salary | UNC 2018–19 (1 season)
Roster situation — Starting point guard ahead of Dennis Schröder
Team record — 4–8; 11th in Eastern Conference
Season statistics — 5 games, 9.8 points, 31.5 FG%, 14.8 3P%, 11–12 FT, 2.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 3.0 turnovers
Thursday — Suns 101, Hornets 96 (road) | started: 19:56, season-high 21 points, 8–16 FG, 2–7 3FG, 3–3 FT, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 turnovers, 1 foul, −2, 12.0 game score
Next game — 4:30 p.m. Sunday at Los Angeles Clippers
Out at least until early December
Chicago Bulls forward Caleb Wilson | had surgery Nov. 12 to repair fractured right hand | season statistics: 10 games, 18.9 points, 42.0 FG%, 32.4 3P%, 73.2 FT%, 6.2 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.8 steals, 0.9 of a block
Likely out for season
Atlanta Hawks center Henri Veesaar | tore right ACL on Sept. 15
RJ Davis, Austin Spurs guard
Age 25 | 6–0, 182 | 2nd pro season | $678,882 salary (2-way contract) | UNC 2020–25 (5 seasons)
G League statistics last season (South Bay Lakers) — 49 games, 18.4 points, 46.8 FG%, 42.4 3P%, 86.4 FT%, 3.8 rebounds, 4.9 assists
Preseason NBA statistics — 3 games, 8.8 minutes, 7 points, 27.3 FG%, 1–4 3FG, 0–2 FT, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block
Season statistics — 2 games, 20.0 points, 45.8 FG%, 50.0 3P%, 100 FT%, 1.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.5 steals
Sunday — Austin Spurs 117, Laketown Squadron 110 (home) | didn’t start: 21 points, 7–16 FG, 2–3 3FG, 3–3 FT, 2 rebounds, 1 foul, 3 steals, 1 block, +5
Next game— 4 p.m. Sunday vs. Memphis Hustle
Harrison Ingram, Salt Lake City Stars forward
Age 23 | 6–6, 230 | 3rd pro season | $678,882 salary (2-way contract) | UNC 2023–24 (1 season)
G League statistics last season (Austin) — 40 games, 16.6 points, 49.2 FG%, 34.0 3P%, 62.6 FT%, 12.0 rebounds, 4.8 assists
NBA statistics last season (Spurs) — 7 games, 1.6 points, 83.3 FG%, 1–1 3P
Preseason NBA statistics — 4 games, 7.9 minutes, 19 points, 53.3 FG%, 1–3 3FG, 2–2 FT, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block
Season statistics — 3 games, 17.0 points, 48.8 FG%, 3–9 3PFG, 3–10 FT, 12.3 rebounds, 7.7 assists, 1.7 turnovers, 2.2 steals
Tuesday — Rip City Remix 108, Salt Lake City Stars 93 (home) | started: 35 minutes, 12 points, 5–12 FG, 0–2 3FG, 1–4 FT, 8 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 fouls, 3 steals, 3 turnovers, 1 block, -3
Wednesday — Salt Lake City Stars 123, Rip City Remix 102 (home) | started: 25 points, 10–14 FG, 3–4 3FG, 1–2 FT, 11 rebounds, 10 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks, team-high +27
Next game — 9 p.m. Monday at Valley Suns
Caleb Love, Delaware Blue Coats guard
Age 25 | 6–3, 212 | 2nd pro season | $678,882 salary (2-way contract) | UNC 2020–23 (3 seasons)
NBA season statistics last season — 49 games (limited to 50 under his two-way contract), 10.4 points, 38.8 FG%, 31.8 3P%, 73.5 FT%, 2.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists
G League statistics last season — 10 games, 24.7 points, 43.3 FG%, 23.5 3P%, 75.8 FT%, 4.0 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 3.6 turnovers
Preseason NBA statistics — 4 games, 14.5 minutes, 5.5 points, 25.9 FG%, 20.0 3P%, 55.6 FT%, 1.0 rebound, 3.0 assists, 0.5 of a block
Season NBA statistics — 1 game, 30 seconds, no statistics
Saturday’s opener — Delaware Blue Coats 147, Capital City Go-Go 122 (home) | not active for the game
Next game — 7 p.m. Friday vs. Maine Celtics
Pete Nance, Wisconsin Herd center
Age 26 | 6–9, 225 | 4th season | $678,882 salary (2-way contract) | UNC 2022–23 (1 season)
G League statistics last season — 12 games, 19.0 points, 53.7 FG%, 40.3 3P%, 78.9 FT%, 8.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.3 steals, 1.1 blocks
NBA statistics last season — 47 games, 5.4 points, 51.5 FG%, 42.0 3P%, 36.4 FT%, 2.7 rebounds, 1.0 assist
Preseason NBA statistics — 4 games, 13.0 minutes, 4.0 points, 35.7 FG%, 30.0 3P%, 75.0 FT%, 3.2 rebounds
Season statistics— 2 games, 13.0 points, 52.6 FG%, 36.4 3P%, 2–2 FT, 6.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists
Sunday — Wisconsin Herd 142, Iowa Wolves 130 (road) | started: 34 minutes, 14 points, 5–12 FG, 3–9 3FG, 1–1 FT, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 fouls, +16
Wednesday in NBA (season NBA debut) — Lakers 123, Bucks 112 (home) | 4:12, 3 points, 1–2 FG, 0–1 3FG, 1–2 FT, 1 rebound, 1 assist, +3
Next game — 4 p.m. Sunday at Windy City Bulls
Tyler Nickel, Westchester Knicks forward
Age 23 | 6–7, 220 | rookie season | $678,882 salary (2-way contract) | UNC 2022–23 (1 season)
Statistics last season (Vanderbilt) — 36 games, 36 starts, 13.5 points, 44.5 FG%, 40.0 3P%, 84.7 FT%, 3.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.8 of a steal
Preseason NBA statistics — 4 games, 21.1 minutes, 16 points, 4–18 FG, 2–14 3FG, 6–7 FT, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, 1 block
Season statistics— 2 games, 11.5 points, 34.8 FG%, 35.0 3P%, 5.0reboundsm, 4.0 assists, 2.0 steals
Sunday — Maine Celtics 98, Westchester Knicks 93 (road) | started: 38 minutes, 8 points, 3–11 FG, 2–10 3FG, 5 rebounds, 4 assists 3 fouls, 3 steals, 7 turnovers, 1 block, -11
Next game — 3 p.m. Saturday vs. Greensboro Swarm, NBATV
Cormac Ryan, Wisconsin Herd guard
Age 28 | 6–5, 205 | 3rd season | $680,984 salary (2-way contract) | UNC 2023–24 (1 season)
G League statistics last season — 31 games, 20.9 points, 48.8 FG%, 42.2 3P%, 89.0 FT%, 4.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.5 steals
NBA statistics last season — 11 games, 14.3 points, 52.0 FG%, 45.8 3P%, 92.3 FT%, 2.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.0 steal
Preseason NBA statistics — 3 games, 15.9 minutes, 6.7 points, 46.2 FG%, 40.0 3P%, 57.1 FT%, 3.7 rebounds, 0.7 of a steal
Season statistics— 2 games, 29.5 points, 75.9 FG%, 88.9 3FG%, 80.0 FT%, 2.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 2.5 turnovers, 2.0 steals
Sunday — Wisconsin Herd 142, Iowa Wolves 130 (road) | started: 30 minutes, 28 points, 10–13 FG, 1–2 3FG, 4–5 FT, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 5 fouls, 3 steals, 2 turnovers, 1 block, -1
Next game — 4 p.m. Sunday at Windy City Bulls
Note that G League’s rule allows one made free throw to count for two or three points, which is why totals sometimes don’t appear to add up.
Photo via @SouthBayLakers
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