RJ Davis records first career triple-double in South Bay's win over Stars

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — By the time RJ Davis pulled down his 10th rebound with under a minute left Thursday night, the moment felt inevitable.

The South Bay Lakers had already bent the Salt Lake City Stars to their will, leading for most of the night, but Davis’ final board — the last piece of his first career triple-double — was the punctuation mark on a performance that defined the 125-118 win.

30 points. 10 assists. 10 rebounds. 11-for-22 from the field. 34 minutes of nonstop pressure.

For Davis, the undrafted guard from North Carolina, it was more than just a stat line. It was validation.

“It’s my first ever triple double ever in all my basketball career,” Davis said with a grin afterward. “Actually, I think I got one in high school — high school doesn’t really count.”

On this stage, it absolutely does.

From the opening tip, Salt Lake City struggled with Davis’ downhill aggression. He got wherever he wanted — into the paint, into the teeth of the defense, or kicking the ball out to open teammates when the Stars collapsed.

That balance has become the defining trait of Davis’ game. When defenses play him honest, he scores. When they load up, he facilitates. Thursday night, the Stars tried everything, and none of it stuck.

Davis finished with 30 points for the second time this season and drilled four triples, including the biggest one of the night. After the Stars trimmed a 22-point Lakers lead down to just three late in the fourth quarter, Davis calmly stepped into his fourth three of the game — a 4-for-7 night from deep — to put the game back out of reach.

That was the exclamation point.

While Davis ultimately authored the headline, the opening chapters belonged to Anton Watson.

The South Bay forward dominated the first half, scoring 18 points in just 18 minutes. 14 of those came in the second quarter alone, punctuated by back-to-back threes late in the period. Watson went 2-for-2 from beyond the arc in the half and consistently punished mismatches inside.

Coming off a 14-point, seven-rebound outing against College Park, Watson elevated his play another level Thursday. Salt Lake City simply had no answer for him early, and his surge allowed Davis to settle into the flow of the game rather than forcing offense.

South Bay also got meaningful contributions throughout the lineup. Kobe Bufkin followed up his big performance Tuesday with another strong night, finishing with 25 points, four rebounds, and two assists in 33 minutes. Kylor Kelley provided stability in the middle, and once again, every Lakers starter scored in double figures.

Just as important: South Bay took care of the ball. Eight turnovers all night. The Stars were forced into 16. That discipline allowed the Lakers to withstand Salt Lake City’s late push and close the game on their terms.

Still, this night belonged to Davis — not just for the triple-double, but for what it represents.

Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

North Carolina Tar Heels guard RJ Davis (4) dribbles during the second half of a first round NCAA mens tournament game against the Mississippi Rebels at Fiserv Forum.

After going undrafted in the 2025 NBA Draft, Davis joined the Lakers’ Summer League squad, earned looks in training camp, logged preseason minutes, and has steadily carved out his role with South Bay. The doubt, the waiting, the need to prove himself all over again — it’s familiar territory.

“My journey from high school to college and up to now, it’s always been the same thing of being doubted, being overlooked, going undrafted,” Davis said. “That’s nothing new to me.”

His love for the game goes back even further.

“My favorite player growing up was Derrick Rose,” Davis said. “His intensity, his mindset — that’s really when I started to mimic my game a lot.”

That intensity shows. So does the hunger.

Asked about his goal for the season, Davis didn’t mince words.

“My main goal was just to kill,” he told The Sporting Tribune.

Through 13 games, Davis is averaging 17.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 5.3 assists — numbers that only hint at his impact. Nights like Thursday make the case clearer: he belongs, and sooner rather than later, someone at the NBA level is going to notice.

For now, South Bay is reaping the benefits.

The Lakers improved to 8-6 and will face the Stars (6-10) again Saturday night in a rematch. If Salt Lake City hasn’t figured out how to slow RJ Davis by then, it could be another long night — and another step forward in a journey that’s just getting started.