By Rashad Miller
LOS ANGELES – The last time the Dallas Mavericks were in the NBA Playoffs, the team made it all the way to the Western Conference Finals before being defeated by the eventual NBA Champion Golden State Warriors in 2022. In a recent media availability, P.J. Washington Jr. revealed that he wasn’t tuned in to his hometown Mavs at the time.
Prior to the trade deadline, Washington was a member of the Charlotte Hornets, a franchise that has not made the NBA Playoffs since 2016. Along with the rookies, this is Washington’s first playoff series of his career. He recently went viral after he stood with his arms folded as he stared down the Clippers bench during a scuffle in Game 3 in the first round of the series between the two teams.
I talked to P.J. before game 5 and with the late rapper Nipsey Hussle’s music playing quietly in the background, he gave me insight on his experience in the postseason thus far. “It’s been great. A lot of fun”, Washington would tell me about his first series. “For me, it’s just basketball and I love playing it and to be able to play in the postseason and to come out here [in my first playoff series] and play for everything is just great”.
He’s also learning that “every possession matters” and “it’s a more mental game than a physical game” especially going against players like NBA All-Stars like James Harden and Paul George in the first round of the best of 7 series. “You gotta come out here and be able to think [about] the game and know players’ tendencies”.
The superstar backcourt duo of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving has given advice to their novice playoff teammates, but I asked if anyone else gave P.J. advice during this postseason. His answer was ‘Smoove’, the nickname for veteran Mavericks forward Markeiff Morris.
“I think his biggest advice for me during the playoffs was just [to] make sure you have a good support system off the court because it’s a lot [going on] on the court. It’s a lot asked of us and it’s a lot of our time. Being able to have a good support system, I think, is a great way for you to be successful”.
A part of his support system includes having his close circle supporting him especially since he’s back in North Texas. “Every single game I’ve had my family here and my friends, so it’s been amazing. I’m just happy they’re here supporting me as well.”
Washington Jr. and the Dallas Mavericks recently defeated the Clippers in six games to advance to the West Conference Semifinals to face the number 1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder. He averaged 10.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.5 steals in his first playoff appearance.
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