Mavericks’ Trade Deadline Pickup Is the Most Underrated Player in the 2024 NBA Playoffs
- P.J. Washington has dominated for the Dallas Mavericks in their playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
- Washington’s sharpshooting, three point shooting, and efficient playmaking has been key to the Mavs’ success.
- Washington’s slow start in the playoffs, particularly in round one, turned around dramatically in the Conference Semifinals.
When the Dallas Mavericks traded for P.J. Washington at the 2024 Trade Deadline, they hoped he would be the final piece of their puzzle. They hoped would be the catalyst that would propel the Mavericks into legitimate contention, and so far in the 2024 NBA playoffs, that is exactly what he has done.
The 25-year-old power forward may not have a name that carries the superstar luster that some other names around the league, or even on his own team, do. But what Washington is doing has been a primary reason why the Mavericks are in the position they currently find themselves in.
That position is two games up on the dynamic Oklahoma City Thunder, with a high chance of reaching the Conference Finals for only the second time since they won it all in 2011. The Mavericks are built differently, with superstars Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving leading the charge. But Washington has been the pivotal third man, the backbone support, that has shone so far this playoffs.
Thunder Can’t Contain P.J.
Washington has broken out this playoffs against the Thunder
After dropping the first game of the series, Dallas responded by taking the next two. And the majority of those efforts were thanks to the elite rise of P.J. Washington during this series. Game 2 saw him put up a playoff career-high 29 points, which also included 11 rebounds and four assists. The Mavs would defeat the Thunder by a score of 119-110 in that game, evening up the series.
Washington’s stats would not be as phenomenal in Game 3 as they were in Game 2, but he set the tone for Dallas which was pivotal in their win and first series lead. He put up 27 points, 11 of which came in the first quarter which allowed the Mavericks to set the tone early.
