Trayce Jackson-Davis ready for postseason debut, taking lessons from Mike Woodson to ‘apply that to here’

Trayce Jackson-Davis has played in big games before, but Tuesday night will be the beginning of his NBA postseason career — a different level of ‘big game’ atmosphere.

Jackson-Davis and the Golden State Warriors begin their postseason play with a win-or-go-home matchup with the Sacramento Kings. The winner will go on to face the loser of the New Orleans Pelicans and Los Angeles Lakers for a chance to play the No. 2 seed Denver Nuggets.

After four years in college and playing in two NCAA Tournaments, Jackson-Davis entered his NBA career well prepared for any moment. His pro-like mentality that was shaped by Indiana basketball head coach Mike Woodson has been critical in his development. Both as a senior and as a rookie.

“Just playing basketball at a high level, playing for something,” Jackson-Davis told reporters Monday. “Obviously with me being the leader of my team (Indiana) and always having the opposing team try to take me away. So, I’ve learned how to adjust through that. The matchups, the scouting reports and all that stuff I always hone in on.”

Despite being selected 57th overall in the NBA Draft last summer, Trayce Jackson-Davis turned in a terrific rookie campaign. It was one that was a bit of a surprise outside of the people who knew him.

He went on to average 7.9 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game this season. He started 16 games and appeared in 68. Jackson-Davis was fantastic towards the back half of the season, starting 13 of the final 21 games — seeing averages of 11.0 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game. On the season, Jackson-Davis shot 70.2 percent from the floor and had six double-doubles.

While Jackson-Davis was an all-around offensive option at Indiana, his role is used specifically as a shot blocker on the defensive end and a rim runner in transition or on pick and roll opportunities offensively.

Whether it’s five minutes, 20 or 30, Jackson-Davis has stayed ready and prepared all season. That won’t change on Tuesday — and for however long the Warriors postseason goes.

“Having Coach (Mike) Woodson, he just really helped me look at different things I can see throughout a game,” Jackson-Davis added. “Just trying to apply that to here.”

Trayce Jackson-Davis will certainly have a role in trying to slow down Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis on Tuesday. He’s averaging 19.4 points, 13.7 rebounds and 8.2 assists per game and is one of the most versatile forwards in the NBA.

The Warriors counter with three very-much defensive-minded forwards. It starts with the physical play of Draymond Green and Kevon Looney, and then countered with the length and athleticism of Trayce Jackson-Davis.

“Trayce has great length. He’s very athletic and affects a lot of shots at the rim,” Green said over the weekend. “… When it comes to [Sabonis’] scoring, a lot of it is around the rim and Trayce can affect some of those shots. But it starts with positioning, and Sabonis is great at creating angles. You got to make sure you’re good with your positioning against a guy like that. He has all the step-throughs and jump-hooks, double step-throughs that you can imagine. His footwork is great.

“It’ll be a great challenge, he’s always a tough challenge. But like I said, Trayce has got to use what he has and his strengths — which is his athleticism and his length.”

Jackson-Davis faced Sabonis just one time this season, in preseason play. He was a limited factor in the regular season matchups with the Kings and only played a total of five minutes in four meetings.

Despite that, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr is ready to see what Jackson-Davis and the rest of his rookies — who have become vital parts of the rotation this year — will do on Tuesday.

“I’m excited,” Kerr said. “I think they’re ready to play, and it’s going to be fun to see our young guys out there.”

SEE ALSO: Hoosiers In The NBA — Multiple former Indiana basketball players set to begin postseason play