In with all of the wretched angst the Dallas Mavericks and their followers have skilled within the final seven weeks, one factor has change into crystal clear. PJ Washington is actually an indispensable man.
That designation was placed on full statistical show in Friday’s 123-117 win over the Detroit Pistons at American Airways Middle. Not solely did Washington have the ball in his arms sufficient to pile up each 27 factors and 9 turnovers, however he additionally reached uncommon statistical air within the win. And he shares this newest distinction with probably the most traditionally vital Maverick to ever don the inexperienced and blue.
Washington handed the 5,000-point mark along with his first 3-point make of the evening. He would go on to hit 5-of-8 from deep within the hard-fought win that saved Dallas within the hunt for the final play-in spot within the Western Convention playoff race. Not solely that — he did it in simply his 383rd profession recreation.
P.J. Washington Jr. eclipsed 5,000 profession factors with a 3-point basket on the 10:02 mark of the first quarter tonight vs. Detroit.
Washington reached the milestone in his 383rd profession recreation. pic.twitter.com/LxF6PdvGf2
— Mavs PR (@MavsPR) March 22, 2025
Washington grew to become simply the fifth participant in NBA historical past to achieve not less than 5,000 factors, 2,000 rebounds, 850 assists, 500 made 3-pointers, 350 steals and 350 blocked photographs in his first 400 profession video games. Solely Mavs legend Dirk Nowitzki, Vince Carter, Kevin Durant and Paul Pierce have piled up that distinctive and well-rounded statistical profile in a equally brief span.
Washington turns into the fifth participant in NBA historical past to file not less than 5,000 factors, 2,000 rebounds, 850 assists, 500 3FGM, 350 steals and 350 blocks inside their first 400 profession video games:
Dirk Nowitzki
Vince Carter
Kevin Durant
Paul Pierce
P.J. Washington Jr.— Mavs PR (@MavsPR) March 22, 2025
He’s not held in the identical esteem as the remainder of that bunch but, however he’s clearly been busy making his mark on the league since he was drafted by the Charlotte Hornets with the twelfth total decide within the 2019 NBA Draft. That’s, to say, he’s not thought-about “elite,” however his manufacturing actually has been currently, when his quantity has been known as to fill some large scoring sneakers within the absence of Luka Dončić, Kyrie Irving and the remainder of the injury-riddled Mavs’ roster. His finest statistical season in his six-plus years within the Affiliation got here in 2022-23 with the Hornets, when he averaged 15.7 factors, 4.9 rebounds and a couple of.4 assists with the Hornets.
Extra lately, and beginning with a 30-point, seven-rebound performance in a 115-114 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Jan. 22, Washington is averaging 19.1 factors and eight.5 rebounds in his final 14 video games. In his final three, since returning to motion following a latest ankle harm, he’s stepped it as much as the tune of 27.3 factors and 6.7 rebounds per recreation.
“He’s been nice,” Mavs head coach Jason Kidd stated about Washington in Friday’s postgame press convention. “And we’re going to want him to proceed to maintain enjoying on the stage that he’s enjoying at proper now.”
Washington took a decidedly totally different stance on his play within the win over Detroit in his postgame feedback, although, specializing in his 9 turnovers. This type of factor will occur, although, when an ideal third choice is thrust into the place of getting to be every thing to everybody on a regular basis on a workforce struck by the harm bug on the unprecedented ranges the Mavs have been this season.
“I’m type of actually pissed off at myself,” Washington stated. “As a result of these 9 turnovers — that’s horrible. I’ve acquired to be higher.”
To make certain, the uptick in Washington’s latest numbers is partly a symptom of the elevated workload he’s stepped into after Kyrie Irving’s season-ending knee harm to associate with the decimated Dallas frontcourt. Anthony Davis (thigh), Dereck Energetic II (ankle) and Daniel Gafford (knee) all stay out as we transfer into the thick of the Western Convention playoff push. However even when all 4 have been accessible, Washington had bullied his means close to the highest of the Mavs’ pecking order when it comes to his significance to total workforce cohesion.
Washington has change into one of many Mavs’ most necessary contributors in any configuration, whether or not he’s enjoying small-ball 5 or bringing the ball up the courtroom. Now it stays to be seen if he’ll be dealt within the upcoming offseason as hypothesis surrounds the Mavs’ potential future roster machinations.
