Tag: P.J. Washington

P.J. Washington is the last former Wildcat standing in the NBA Playoffs

P.J. Washington is the last former Kentucky basketball player left playing in the NBA Playoffs.

The 2024 NBA Playoffs began with a number of former Kentucky Wildcats vying for a championship, but as the Finals prepare to begin, only P.J. Washington remains. The Dallas Mavericks forward is attempting to secure his first championship ring.

Washington spent two years with the Wildcats, from 2017 to 2019. In his last season in Lexington, he averaged 15 points and 7 rebounds per game. His play got him drafted 12th overall in the 2019 NBA draft.

Related: Four Wildcats selected in new ESPN NBA mock draft

He was traded to the Dallas Mavericks early in 2024 to help them make a playoff run, and became a solid contributor. In his last few months of the regular season, he averaged 11.7 points and 6.2 rebounds per game.

In the Playoffs, he has been an important piece. In particular, against Oklahoma City in round two, he posted over 17 points per game and scored over 20 in three straight games.

The Mavericks will play the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals beginning Thursday night. The winner of the series will get to add their names to the list of championship winners. P.J. Washington is hoping to make the list of former Kentucky basketball players to win it one name longer.

3 shrewd decisions that helped the Mavericks make the 2024 NBA Finals

Here’s how the Mavericks’ boldness put them on the brink of an NBA championship.

The Dallas Mavericks weren’t supposed to be here.

I am not joking. They really were not supposed to be here, in the NBA Finals, on the brink of their second championship in franchise history.

On February 3, the Mavericks were just 26-23. They were a glorified play-in team praying for a favorable matchup in the first round of the playoffs. No one in their right mind saw this team playing June basketball. Then Luka Doncic started playing like an MVP-caliber superstar, the Mavericks made a whole host of ambitious moves at the annual NBA trade deadline, and they went 36-14 through the rest of the regular season and the entire Western Conference playoffs combined.

What a remarkable turnaround.

READ MORE: 3 smart decisions that got the Boston Celtics to the NBA Finals.

As Doncic and Co. prepare to battle the Celtics in what should be an epic Finals series, let’s recount how these Mavericks paved a path to the NBA’s championship round.

1. Finding Luka Doncic a real running mate 

After Dallas gave up on Kristaps Porzingis, it was clear that Doncic still needed a real No. 2 partner. The Mavericks needed someone who could take some of the tremendous offensive burden off Doncic’s hands and make them a more balanced team overall. They decided it would be Kyrie Irving, the electric guard with a skeptical recent past when they traded for him at last year’s deadline.

Initially, the fit with Doncic and Irving didn’t make much sense. Both players looked too ball-dominant. It was almost as if they didn’t know how to play together and successfully mesh their games into a winning brand of basketball. Labeling the Irving deal as a lost cause of broken chemistry and a case of the Mavericks fitting a square peg into a round hole with their backcourt was easy.

In extreme hindsight, it’s quite amusing that anyone ever questioned this fit. In Irving’s first full season with the Mavericks, he and Doncic flourished, especially down the stretch and into the playoffs. Together, both dynamite talents have inspired discussion about them being the best offensive backcourt in NBA history.

Together, this duo has the Celtics already wracking their brains on the defensive end:

They are, by far, the biggest reason Dallas qualified for the 2024 Finals. Sometimes, blockbuster trades work out for the better. Who knew?

2. A tank job for the ages 

This time last year, the Mavericks did not turn their season around on a dime. In fact, as the 2023 regular season came to a close, Dallas was four games under .500 with a slight prayer of qualifying for the play-in tournament. But rather than try and sprint through the finish line only to potentially get demolished by a top-seeded juggernaut, the Mavericks waved the white flag.

Dallas sat multiple starters and rotational players in each of its last two regular-season games to ensure it wouldn’t qualify for the play-in. Why? The Mavericks wanted a draft lottery pick, someone who could actually make an immediate impact on the team in the ensuing season when they tried to compete again.

This move turned out to be a stroke of genius as said lottery pick turned into rookie center Dereck Lively II. You know, the Mavericks’ fourth or even third-best player this season? You know, the guy who helped unlock Doncic as a “winning” player?

Yeah, that dude.

It only happened because the Dallas brass saw the forest for the trees instead of aimlessly qualifying for spring basketball, where it never had a realistic chance.

3. Some buy-low trades and an important lineup decision

Remember how I said the Mavericks were still straddling the line of relevancy in early February? Well, they didn’t sit on their hands. When it came time to make more deals at this year’s trade deadline, they went out and acquired not one but two crucial rotational players from two of the worst teams in the league, the Washington Wizards and Charlotte Hornets.

Enter center Daniel Gafford (ex-Wizard) and forward P.J. Washington (ex-Hornet).

Gafford has been a godsend to the Mavericks, giving them ample size that allowed them to flat-out bully the Western Conference playoff field. Meanwhile, Washington has been the kind of do-it-all-forward who takes the hardest perimeter defensive assignment every night and makes all the clutch corner 3-pointers.

Imagine acquiring two solid starters on a Finals team at one trade deadline. That’s what the Mavericks did.

When we go beyond these trades, Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd made a critical lineup decision this postseason: he effectively benched Tim Hardaway Jr.

Hardaway played nearly 27 minutes a game in the regular season, the equivalent of an entrenched sixth man. But in the playoffs, the guard was a matchup issue on both ends of the court — for his own team. Rather than see if Hardaway could play through it, Kidd made the executive decision to precipitously cut his minutes and hand out more playing time to younger, more effective role players like Jaden Hardy and Josh Green.

The Mavericks haven’t missed a beat ever since.

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L2M report admits crucial mistake that hurt Thunder in season-ending loss to Mavericks

L2M report admits crucial mistake that hurt Thunder in season-ending loss to Mavericks.

The Oklahoma City Thunder’s season ended in a heartbreaker.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s costly shooting foul on P.J. Washington at the corner 3-point spot afforded the latter a chance to clinch the second-round win at the free-throw line.

Washington, who had been a thorn in the Thunder’s side all series, swished the first two free-throw attempts to put the Mavericks up 117-116 with 2.1 seconds left.

He intentionally missed the third attempt, which resulted in Jalen Williams’ full-court heave being missed at the buzzer. Just like that, the Thunder’s season was over.

Gilgeous-Alexander took full responsibility for the season-ending foul, stating he shouldn’t have fallen for Washington’s pump fake and instead dared him to make the shot.

“I shouldn’t have fouled him,” Gilgeous-Alexander said on the late foul. “We talked about it all year the little things that go into winning games. … It sucks. Obviously, if I had the moment back, I wouldn’t have fouled him. Just let him make or miss the shot.”

In a one-point season-ending loss, any miscues on the Last Two Minute Report will sting even more for OKC. That’s what the Thunder felt when the L2M reported Williams should’ve received a trip to the free-throw line.

With 1:46 left and facing a three-point deficit, Williams received the ball at the top of the key and drove to the basket. He badly missed the shot attempt on what should’ve been a shooting foul by Washington.

Per the L2M report: “Washington (DAL) holds down Williams’ (OKC) shoulder as he jumps to contest and the illegal contact affects Williams’ driving shot attempt.”

The L2M report admitted Williams’ shot attempt should’ve resulted in a turnover as the ball went out of bounds. But that wouldn’t have mattered if the 23-year-old drew the foul.

These were the only two blemishes on the L2M report. The incorrect non-call isn’t the sole reason for the Thunder’s loss, but a call would’ve completely changed the flow of a one-point loss.

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Former Wildcat P.J. Washington is on to the Western Conference Finals

P.J. Washington and the Dallas Mavericks advance to the Western Conference Finals.

P.J. Washington has had a good playoff run so far. Facing another former Kentucky basketball star in the NBA Playoffs, he posted some of his best performances. Those helped to propel the Dallas Mavericks to a series win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.

On the season, Washington averaged 11.7 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. He made about 31% of his three-point attempts as well.

Related: Tyrese Maxey wins NBA Sportsmanship award

Against the Thunder, in the six games they played, 17.7 points and 8.3 rebounds per game. From three-point range, he made a whopping 47% of his shots, including game two, where he made seven of eleven. Even in his worst statistical game of the series, Washington scored the game-winning points, knocking down two free throws to put them ahead with seconds to go.

The Mavericks move on to play either the Denver Nuggets or Minnesota Timberwolves in the Conference Finals. Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving will ultimately determine how far the team goes. But their jobs get a lot easier if P.J. Washington has another big series like he did against the Thunder.

Former Wildcat P.J. Washington has another big night in the NBA Playoffs

Former Kentucky basketball star P.J. Washington is having a big series in the NBA Playoffs.

The 2025 NBA Playoffs feature a number of former Kentucky basketball stars, including MVP runner-up Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and they have definitely made an impact. One such player, P.J. Washington, has been a bit of a surprise, though.

In two seasons at Kentucky, Washington averaged over 12 points per game and nearly 7 rebounds. After his Sophomore campaign, he was drafted 12th overall by the Charlotte Hornets.

Washington was a solid player for the Hornets, but was traded to the Dallas Mavericks earlier this season. That led into the current playoff match-up with Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder.

During the regular season, Washington was averaging just under 12 points per game. In round one of the playoffs, he was right at that same number, but in round two, he has asserted himself much more.

After losing game one, Washington posted 29 points and 11 boards in a game two victory. Then, on Saturday, in game three, he was at it again. He scored 27 more points in that one, which was another win. In the two wins, he also knocked down a total of 12 three-pointers.

Game four is Monday evening, and the Thunder are sure to include slowing Washington down in the game plan. If they don’t, the ex-Wildcat will certainly take advantage once again.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander thinks Thunder should limit P.J. Washington’s hot shooting

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander thinks Thunder should limit P.J. Washington’s hot shooting.

Through three games of their second-round matchup between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Dallas Mavericks, the biggest surprise has been P.J. Washington turning into a supernova scorer.

Washington has been the Mavericks’ second-leading scorer and third-leading total scorer of the series. In Dallas’ wins in games 2 and 3, he scored a combined 56 points and shot 12-of-23 (52.2%) from 3.

The surprising development has swung the last two games to the Mavericks. In the regular season, Washington shot a lowly 32% from 3 on 5.7 attempts.

That type of efficiency meant the Thunder should’ve been comfortable allowing Washington to take as many 3-pointers as he’d like. On paper, it’s a sound strategy because it takes away shots from Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.

But these are the NBA playoffs. Weird stuff tends to happen that nobody could’ve predicted. Washington turning into a hot outside shooter is a variable that has favored the Mavericks.

Before the question could even be asked after their Game 3 loss, Shai Gigeous-Alexander nodded in frustration at Washington’s hot shooting.

“He’s hooping,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “We gotta turn that water off if we want to win the series for sure.”

While there are certainly adjustments to be made with Washington — the Thunder likely should quit conceding the corner spots to him as they have thus far — an overcorrection needs to be avoided.

If the Thunder lose a playoff series because a 32% on six attempts outside shooter turns into a 52% on 12 attempts outside shooter, then so be it. OKC will tip its cap and can enter the offseason knowing sometimes that’s how the cookie crumbles in the postseason.

But if the Thunder lose two more games because they suddenly treat Washington like Stephen Curry, thus resulting in more scoring chances for Doncic and Irving, that will be a case of overreacting to a small sample size.

The Thunder can tweak their defensive strategy against Washington. Letting him shoot so many corner 3-pointers might need to be scrapped. But OKC cannot fall into the hole of overcorrection and allow Dallas’ star duo to get hot.

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P.J. Washington trade grades: Who won the deal between the Hornets and the Mavericks?

The Mavericks gave up a ton for P.J. Washington.

The Mavericks have been extremely active in trying to improve ahead of the NBA trade deadline.

Dallas already reportedly acquired Daniel Gafford from the Wizards to beef up the center depth behind Dereck Lively II. Now, it’s bringing in another frontcourt player to play next to them.

The Mavericks have reportedly acquired P.J. Tucker from the Hornets, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania. It didn’t come at a light cost, either. There’s heavy draft capital included in this deal that surely makes this a tough pill for Dallas to swallow.

Let’s dive into the details of it all as we grade this trade.

This mock trade would move the needle for the Lakers

Here is an interesting mock trade that could bring the Lakers closer to championship contention right away.

Trade talks around the NBA are starting to get louder, and of course, some of those rumors involve the Los Angeles Lakers.

With a 12-16 record, they’ve been playing much better since starting 2-10, particularly on the offensive end, and there is a sense among some people, especially within the team, that one or two more pieces would result in a championship contender.

Twitter user Lakers All Day 24/8 suggested a three-way trade that would supply the Lakers with three useful forwards, as well as a guard who could be a solid replacement for Russell Westbrook, who would have to be moved in this scenario to make salaries match.

Miles Bridges and P.J. Washington enter health and safety protocol

Charlotte’s front court depth take a hit due to the league’s protocols.

The Charlotte Hornets have taken another hit to their team due to the league’s health and safety protocol.

On Sunday, forwards Miles Bridges and P.J. Washington were placed in the league’s protocol and could miss several games, per Hornets PR.

LaMelo Ball, Terry Rozier and company recently returned from protocols and the Hornets were at near full health before today’s findings.

Bridges and Washington join teammate Cody Martin in the protocols, who entered earlier this week.

Stay tuned to Lonzo Wire for updates on all things Charlotte Hornets.

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Charlotte Hornets player grades from opening night win over Pacers

Here are the individual player grades as the Charlotte Hornets beat the Indiana Pacers on the road.

Well, that’s one way to open up the regular season.

The Charlotte Hornets hold off the Indiana Pacers at the buzzer, 123-122, as Domantas Sabonis misses a fadeaway jumper over the stretched hands of P.J. Washington.

The Pacers had their hands all over this one, jumping out to a 23-point lead, but a 24-0 run by the Hornets, led by LaMelo, in the third quarter, got Charlotte back in the game.

LaMelo Ball led the way for the Hornets with 31 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals on 11-of-23 shooting and 7-of-9 from 3-point range.

Gordon Hayward got hot in the fourth quarter, finishing with 27 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists. Miles Bridges added 13 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block as he filled the stat sheet.

Check out the individual player grades below.

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