The Dallas Mavericks are set to begin their NBA Finals series against the Boston Celtics on Thursday night. Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving understandably receive no shortage of credit for leading Dallas to the NBA Finals, but Mavs legend Dirk Nowitzki understands how important the trades for PJ Washington and Daniel Gafford have been.
“Well I think who is at hand is PJ Washington, I think that deal really put us over the top,” Nowitzki said on The Big Podcast with Shaq. “I think we had a good team before, but getting PJ and Gaff (Gafford) at the trading deadline was an unbelievable move by the management. It gave us some depth, gave us length, and PJ has been incredible, and I think in Charlotte maybe at times, I don’t know if they wanted him to score too much or I’m not really sure what the problem was but here he’s just a perfect fit and match for the guys.
“He can make a shot, he brings toughness, and he brings defense and length, so he’s been super fun, and he’s here from Dallas, you know he grew up in Frisco.”
PJ Washington making difference in postseason
Every team that makes a run in the NBA postseason features depth. Additionally, the stars are often accompanied by players who have big postseasons. Last season, we saw Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray lead the Denver Nuggets to a championship. But they certainly had help from players such as Michael Porter Jr. and Aaron Gordon.
PJ Washington, along with Daniel Gafford, Derrick Jones Jr., Dereck Lively II and others have played important roles alongside Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.
Washington has emerged as a third scoring option for the Mavs. He is averaging 13.6 points per game on 43.2 percent field goal and 36.3 percent three-point shooting across 17 games in the 2024 postseason. He's also recording 6.7 rebounds per outing.
Of course, it goes beyond the stats for PJ Washington. His “stand on business” pose in the first round against the Los Angeles Clippers went viral. “Stand on business” has become the Mavericks' motto in a sense.
Washington plays hard on both ends of the floor, brings energy, and has helped the Mavericks without question.
Washington's potential impact in Mavericks-Celtics NBA Finals clash
Derrick White has been a difference-maker for the Celtics. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown lead the way, but White's impact cannot be denied.
Washington and White will likely be the X-factors in the series. They are both talented players, who, despite not being considered superstars, can swing games one way or another.
The Mavs will need Washington to perform well. If he struggles and White performs well, Boston will receive an automatic advantage. But Mavericks fans should remain confident in Washington. He has displayed the ability to play well under the bright lights.
PJ Washington's performance will go a long way towards determining how the Mavericks will fare in the 2024 NBA Finals. Game 1 is scheduled for 8:30 PM EST on Thursday night in Boston.
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