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Dallas Mavericks To Limit Minutes For P.J. Washington, Cooper Flagg Against Golden State Warriors

Grant AfsethJanuary 22, 2026January 22, 2026

P.J. Washington shoots a jump shot during pregame warmups at American Airlines Center before the Dallas Mavericks face the Philadelphia 76ers

Photo by DallasHoopsJournal.com

The Dallas Mavericks will welcome back P.J. Washington on Thursday night against the Golden State Warriors, but with clear guardrails in place as Dallas continues to manage health and workload across its rotation.

Washington is available after practicing Wednesday and will play under a minutes restriction below 30 minutes, according to head coach Jason Kidd. Cooper Flagg remains limited to 20–25 minutes as he continues working back from a left ankle injury. Daniel Gafford has been ruled out, while Moussa Cissé is available after being upgraded earlier Thursday.

The updates finalize a rotation picture that has gradually sharpened following Dallas’ 114–97 road win over the New York Knicks, one of the team’s most complete performances of the season.

P.J. Washington Returns With Minutes to Build Continuity

Washington’s return adds a stabilizing presence to Dallas’ frontcourt, even with a cap on his workload. He is averaging 14.6 points and 7.4 rebounds this season while serving as a connective defender and secondary scorer in Dallas’ evolving system.

Kidd acknowledged that Washington may need time to settle back in after the layoff.

“There could be some rust,” Kidd said. “Just trying to get some continuity, get some minutes under his belt, but we’re excited to have him back.”

Even in a controlled role, Washington’s impact is significant. Earlier this season, he delivered several high-level performances in wins, including 29 points and 12 rebounds at Houston on Nov. 3, 27 points at Miami on Nov. 24, and 25 points with 14 rebounds at Utah on Dec. 15. His ability to rebound, defend multiple positions, and keep the floor spaced allows Dallas to maintain tempo without sacrificing structure.

Cooper Flagg’s Influence Remains, Even With a Cap

Flagg will again operate under a minutes restriction after returning Sunday at Madison Square Garden. In that game, he logged 28 minutes, finishing with 18 points, seven rebounds, and a team-best +21, helping Dallas control pace from start to finish.

For the season, Flagg is averaging 18.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.1 assists, and his presence has consistently accelerated Dallas’ transition game. With his minutes managed, Kidd has emphasized spreading Flagg’s run across both halves to preserve his ability to push tempo without overloading the ankle.

The restriction limits volume, not influence. Dallas has been at its best when Flagg’s downhill pressure is paired with defensive rebounds and early offense — a formula that was evident again in New York.

Daniel Gafford Out, Moussa Cissé Available in the Frontcourt

Dallas will remain without Gafford, who was downgraded to out Thursday morning after initially being listed as questionable. He re-aggravated a right ankle sprain after returning for 18 minutes against Denver on Jan. 14, when he recorded six points and 10 rebounds before being shut down again.

Cissé’s availability helps offset that absence. While his role remains situational, his size and activity provide Dallas with a true interior option, particularly during non-shooting stretches when the Mavericks need to finish possessions and avoid extended small-ball lineups.

Dallas Mavericks Managing Pace Without Overextending

Dallas has leaned into tempo during its recent stretch, averaging 126 points in its last four wins, but Kidd has been consistent that sustaining that style requires balance — especially with minutes limits in place.

With Washington and Flagg both capped and Gafford unavailable, the challenge against Golden State becomes one of sequencing rather than survival: when to deploy pace-heavy units, when to settle defensively, and how to keep fresh bodies on the floor without losing continuity.

The Knicks game provided a clear blueprint — rebound, run, share — but Thursday’s matchup will test whether Dallas can maintain that identity while managing minutes instead of merely absorbing absences.

The Mavericks won’t be whole yet.

But for the first time in weeks, they’ll be organized — and that matters just as much.

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Grant Afseth

Senior Writer

Grant Afseth is a Senior Writer for DallasHoopsJournal.com, where he leads in-depth coverage of the Mavericks, Wings, and more. Between a focus on the latest news, closer looks at games, front office strategy, and more, Afseth provides objective coverage. Afseth contributes broader NBA coverage across platforms and has been cited in national outlets for his reporting and analysis. With nearly a decade of journalism experience, Afseth has covered the NBA and WNBA for multiple major outlets, including Athlon Sports, BallIsLife, Sportskeeda, and RG.org. He previously reported on the Indiana Pacers for CNHI’s Kokomo Tribune and the Mavericks for FanNation.

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