In the Dallas Mavericks’ commanding 120-106 play-in victory over the Sacramento Kings on April 16, Anthony Davis didn’t just dominate the paint—he stretched the floor. Going 3-for-6 from beyond the arc, Davis showcased a skill that’s redefining the role of big men in the NBA: three-point shooting. Once a rarity for centers and power forwards, the ability to shoot from deep is now a cornerstone of the modern game, and Davis’ performance signals his place among the elite big men driving this evolution. How does Davis stack up against other sharpshooting bigs like Nikola Jokić and Joel Embiid, and what does his emergence as a three-point threat mean for the Mavericks’ playoff hopes and the NBA’s playoff meta?
The Three-Point Revolution Hits the Bigs
The NBA’s three-point revolution, sparked by the Golden State Warriors’ splashy dominance in the 2010s, has reshaped every position on the court. Guards and wings like Stephen Curry and Damian Lillard set the tone, but big men have increasingly joined the party. Centers who can space the floor create matchup nightmares, pulling opposing bigs out of the paint and opening driving lanes for teammates. In the 2024-25 season, the league saw a record 12.9 three-point attempts per game from players 6’10” or taller, up from just 7.2 a decade ago.
Anthony Davis, traditionally known for his rim protection and mid-range game, is now a poster child for this shift. Against the Kings, his 3-for-6 performance from deep wasn’t a fluke—it was the culmination of years of work on his outside shot. Davis shot 33.3% from three this season on 2.1 attempts per game, a career-high volume. His ability to knock down 50% of his threes in a high-stakes play-in game underscores his growing comfort as a floor-spacer, a skill that makes him a uniquely dangerous weapon for Dallas.
Davis vs. Jokić and Embiid: A New Breed of Big
To understand Davis’ role in this trend, it’s worth comparing him to two other big men who’ve redefined the center position: Nikola Jokić and Joel Embiid.
Nikola Jokić (Denver Nuggets): Jokić, a two-time MVP, is the ultimate playmaking big, averaging 1.5 threes per game at 35.4% this season. While Jokić’s three-point shooting isn’t his primary weapon, it’s a critical part of his arsenal. Defenders can’t sag off him, which amplifies his passing and pick-and-pop game. Jokić’s efficiency from deep (career 34.8%) is slightly better than Davis’, but he takes fewer shots, preferring to orchestrate from the high post. Davis, by contrast, is more likely to spot up or exploit mismatches off screens, as seen in his Kings game, where two of his threes came off catch-and-shoot opportunities.
Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers): Embiid, the 2023 MVP, is a more aggressive three-point shooter, averaging 2.7 attempts per game at 34.1% this season. His willingness to fire from deep forces defenses to respect his range, creating space for his devastating post moves and face-up game. Embiid’s style is closer to Davis’ than Jokić’s, as both rely on scoring versatility to punish switches. However, Embiid’s higher volume and confidence in isolation threes give him an edge in stretching defenses, while Davis’ superior defensive mobility (3 blocks vs. Kings) makes him a two-way terror.
Davis sits between these two in style. He’s not the playmaking savant Jokić is, nor does he have Embiid’s brute-force scoring volume. But his blend of defensive dominance and improving three-point accuracy (33.3% vs. Jokić’s 35.4% and Embiid’s 34.1%) makes him a unique hybrid. Against Sacramento, Davis’ threes forced Domantas Sabonis—a non-shooting big—out of his comfort zone, opening the paint for Dallas’ guards like Klay Thompson (who went 6-for-10 from deep). This ability to punish traditional centers could define Davis’ playoff impact.
Shaping the Playoff Meta
As the Mavericks prepare to face the Memphis Grizzlies for the West’s No. 8 seed, Davis’ three-point shooting could be a game-changer. The Grizzlies’ frontcourt, led by Jaren Jackson Jr., is mobile but lacks the same offensive range. If Davis continues to hit from deep, he’ll force Jackson out of the paint, creating mismatches and driving lanes for Dallas’ slashers. This dynamic mirrors the broader playoff meta, where big men who shoot threes—think Karl-Anthony Towns (39.1% from three) or Myles Turner (37.2%)—are increasingly dictating pace and space.
Looking ahead, Davis’ development as a shooter could redefine Dallas’ postseason strategy. In a potential first-round matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder, his ability to space the floor will be critical against Chet Holmgren, another rangy defender who thrives in drop coverage. If Davis can replicate his 50% three-point night, he’ll pull Holmgren away from the rim, opening up Dallas’ offense. X users are already buzzing, with one post declaring, “AD shooting 3s changes everything for Dallas. Good luck guarding him and Klay.”
Beyond Dallas, Davis’ evolution reflects a league-wide shift. Teams are prioritizing bigs who can shoot, pass, and defend multiple positions, as evidenced by rookies like Zach Edey (Purdue, drafted by Memphis) attempting threes in summer league. As defenses adapt to this trend, the next frontier may be bigs who combine shooting with elite rim protection—precisely Davis’ wheelhouse. His 27 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 blocks against Sacramento show he’s already there.
The Road Ahead
Davis’ 3-for-6 night isn’t just a stat line; it’s a statement. As big men like Jokić, Embiid, and now Davis redefine what’s possible, the NBA’s playoff meta is tilting toward versatility. For the Mavericks, Davis’ shooting could be the X-factor that propels them past Memphis and into a deep playoff run. For the league, he’s proof that the days of paint-bound centers are fading fast.
As one X user put it, “Bigs shooting threes is the future, and AD’s leading the charge.” If Davis keeps firing from deep, he won’t just shape Dallas’ playoff fate—he’ll cement his place among the pioneers of the NBA’s new big-man era.