Golden State is rounding into NBA Playoff form.
So is rookie forward Trayce Jackson-Davis.
The former IU consensus All-American registered a career-high 20 points (8-10 FG, 4-4 FT), five rebounds, four assists, one block and one steal across 28 minutes during Thursday’s 133-110 victory over the Rockets.
Jackson-Davis has started in each of the Warriors’ last five games, with Golden State going undefeated in that stretch. His all-star cast of teammates have noticed TJD’s readiness to deliver for a team focused on the postseason.
“Trayce was one of the best players at Indiana in the college scene,” Warriors five-time NBA all-star Klay Thompson said. “When you play for four years and you’re NBA ready — you can tell he’s been coached very well. His fundamentals are very good.
“He’s an NBA-ready player. The value we get from him as the 50-something (NBA Draft) pick, it’s very special. Give our front office credit for that, and give Trayce a ton of credit for just his readiness as a professional.
“It’s very impressive. He’s had such an incredible year. I’d assume he’d ben on one of these all-rookie teams. He’s playing that well.”
The Warriors used the 57th pick — the second-to-last selection of the draft — to choose Jackson-Davis after he spent four-years in college. Despite his slipping in the draft, that extensive experience has allowed him to develop into a player the Warriors trust during the most important part of the regular season.
Paired with Draymond Green in the Warriors’ starting lineup, the 24-year-old rookie is making a serious All-Rookie push.
“Trayce and Draymond together, that changed our team,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said after the Warriors’ win in Houston. “It’s pretty dramatic, just the rim protection, the rebounding that Trayce gives us, and what that allows Draymond to do. It’s been really fun to watch them together. Trayce, for a rookie, it’s amazing what he’s doing.”
In his last 10 games, Jackson-Davis is averaging 11.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.7 combined blocks and steals per game. The Warriors own a 22-10 record since January 31, a span during which his role is expanded.
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