When the Los Angeles Lakers took down the Phoenix Suns 128-122 in the penultimate game of the preseason, all eyes justifiably landed on Dalton Knecht. The rookie sharpshooter went off to the tune of 35 points, including a mind-blowing stretch of 20 consecutive points scored.
Hidden in Knecht's breakout performance, however, was another statement game, as Anthony Davis reminded the NBA of how dangerous he can be when his jump shot is falling.
Davis posted a matching 35 points of his own, adding 10 rebounds, two offensive boards, four assists, one block, and a steal. He was uncharacteristically inefficient at the free throw line, going 3-of-8, but his career mark of 79.8 percent stifles the sound of concern.
The most important development from Davis' performance was the fact that he seemingly rediscovered his form from beyond the arc.
Davis shot 4-of-9 from three-point range, with his first coming off of an off-ball pick-and-pop action. He also brought the ball up the court and comfortably walked into an open three, trailed behind the primary ball-handler for an eventual open look, and maintained a five-out approach to maximize spacing for his fourth.
Throw in a long midrange jumper, a turnaround fadeaway finish with a hand in his face, and several pick-and-roll finishes, and the floor-spacing version of Davis who helped Los Angeles win a title arrived in 2024.
Hard work is paying off as Anthony Davis rediscovers his jump shot
Davis averaged a career-best 1.2 three-point field goals made on 33.0 percent shooting during the Lakers' championship season in 2019-20. Unfortunately, he's made 29 or less in each of the four seasons since, and has shot 27.1 percent or worse from beyond the arc during that time.
It's difficult to poke holes in Davis' game considering he's coming off of a season in which he was the only player in the NBA to earn All-NBA and All-Defense honors, but his jump shot has regressed.
In response to that decline, Davis spent the offseason shooting and even converting the occasional three during the USA Basketball Showcase and 2024 Summer Olympics. It was in line with Lakers head coach JJ Redick alluding to his goal of helping the future Hall of Famer rediscover his range.
The volume has thus far been limited in terms of conversions, but Davis has shown flashes of his former self during the preseason.
Davis went 0-of-4 from distance during his preseason debut against the Milwaukee Bucks, and shot 1-of-3 the next time out. He continued to keep the shot in the back of his mind when he went 0-of-1 against the Golden State Warriors.
This 4-of-9 performance against the Suns may be an exaggeration of what fans can expect of him, but the fact that he's shooting even when they aren't falling is a clear sign of his ambition.
No one in their right mind would suggest that Davis should become a spot-up shooter, but he's at his best when his jump shot is falling. That includes a midrange game that once struck fear in the hearts of opposing defenses, thus enabling other areas of his game to flourish.
It's too soon for bold proclamations, but the signs of progress are undeniable as Davis inches closer to playing at the level he reached during the Lakers' championship season.