Entering his eighth NBA season, Matisse Thybulle joined the Los Angeles Lakers carrying a reputation as a career reserve and defensive specialist meant to provide energy in short bursts. Instead, the former University of Washington standout has stepped into a prominent starting role for his new club.
Thybulle has opened all four games of the young season for the Lakers, helping the team secure three victories. He lines up in the starting five alongside fellow 6-foot-5 guard Austin Reaves, forwards Luka Doncic and Zaire Williams, and 7-foot-2 center Walker Kessler.
The catalyst for Thybulle’s expanded responsibility is a marked improvement in his scoring output, particularly from beyond the 3-point arc. He has converted 8 of his 19 attempts from long range to start the year, a development tied directly to an altered shooting mechanics approach known as a “no-dip” shot.
Rather than catching a pass and dropping the ball down toward his waist before releasing, Thybulle now catches the ball at chest height or above and immediately elevates into his shot. He frequently practices the motion using a one-handed launch during pregame warmups.
“My shot has never been something I was confident in,” Thybulle said. “It was always an insecurity of mine.” Explaining the mechanical shift, he noted that the streamlined process removes extraneous movement. “There are less variables,” he said. “When you catch a no-dip shot, you’re under the ball, you have to fully extend. Whereas when you catch a regular pass, dip the ball down sometimes, you catch it across your body, you bring it over. Gotta make sure your legs are under you. There’s just more pieces to it.”
He credits teammates Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves for delivering precise passes that allow him to catch the ball directly in his shooting pocket. That chemistry was on display in a recent 125-117 victory over the crosstown Los Angeles Clippers, where Thybulle contributed 13 points while hitting 5 of 8 shots from the field, including 3 of 6 from 3-point range.
Throughout his career with the Philadelphia 76ers and Portland Trail Blazers, offensive limitations routinely restricted Thybulle’s playing time and relegated him primarily to bench duties. He managed more starts than bench appearances in just two prior seasons: opening 50 of 66 games for Philadelphia in the 2021-22 campaign, and starting 22 games for Portland following a midseason trade the following year. Last season with the Trail Blazers, he appeared in 30 games without a start before a thumb injury prematurely ended his campaign.
In July, Thybulle signed a one-year, $3.3 million contract with the Lakers in search of a fresh start. While initial expectations positioned him as a defensive disruptor, the franchise has quickly integrated him into a leading capacity as his revamped perimeter shooting continues to pay dividends.
