RJ Davis looked sharp in his preseason debut with the Lakers on Friday night, and he’ll get another shot to impress when L.A. takes the floor again on Sunday — with the game airing on ESPN. (tarheeltribune.com)
Here’s everything you need to know heading into his second preseason appearance:
🔥 Strong Debut in the Desert
In the Lakers’ 103–81 loss to the Phoenix Suns at Palm Desert, Davis turned heads with an efficient outing. In just over 18 minutes, he scored 14 points — the team’s second-highest mark for the night. (tarheeltribune.com)
His stat line was tidy: 5-of-8 from the field, 1-of-2 from three, and perfect at the free-throw line (3-of-3). He also added a steal, with two turnovers and one foul. (tarheeltribune.com)
Given the limited minutes, the production was even more impressive, and it caught the attention of Lakers coaching staff and fans alike. (Keeping It Heel)
Davis, who is on a two-way contract, is expected to split time between the Lakers and their G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers. (tarheeltribune.com)
📺 Next Stop: Sunday on ESPN
For his second preseason matchup, Davis will suit up Sunday night when the Lakers visit the Golden State Warriors. The game tip-off is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. and will be televised on ESPN. (tarheeltribune.com)
That’s a big opportunity for Davis — national exposure, more minutes, and another chance to stake his claim for a more permanent role in the rotation.
🧩 What It Means for His Role
Coming out of college, Davis is seen as a guard with scoring instincts, a good handle, and the ability to help facilitate. (Keeping It Heel) His debut showed flashes of all of that — especially his ability to knock down shots cleanly and make the most of limited opportunities.
With roster construction still being sorted out, veteran rotation spots are competitive. But a couple of performances like Friday’s — backed up by solid defense, court vision, and consistency — could push Davis into consideration for a spot beyond just a two-way guy.
His national visibility on ESPN Sunday could also boost the narrative around him, giving media and fans more to talk about. Solid performances in these early games sometimes create momentum and pressure for coaches to keep giving a young player more chances.
🚨 What to Watch Sunday
- Shot selection and efficiency — Can he maintain the clean looks and conversion rate from Friday?
- Court management / decision-making — As a guard, passing and handling pressure will be key.
- Defensive intensity — How he holds up on that end may determine trust for more minutes.
- Consistency over bursts — One strong game is good; repeating is better.
RJ Davis made a statement in his Lakers preseason debut. Now, with an ESPN-televised game ahead, he has the stage to build on it. If he keeps this up, he could push his way into meaningful discussions about the regular-season rotation.