P.J. Washington Exits With Shoulder Strain As Dallas Mavericks’ Injury Issues Mount

Grant AfsethNovember 13, 2025November 13, 2025no comment

P.J Washington, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, NBA

Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images

Dallas Mavericks forward P.J. Washington sustained a left shoulder strain and did not return in Wednesday night’s 123-114 loss to the Phoenix Suns, adding another setback to a roster already stretched thin by injuries and recent organizational turmoil.

Washington, who scored six points in five minutes before leaving the game in the first quarter, walked directly to the locker room after appearing to favor his left arm. The team later announced he would miss the rest of the night. His status moving forward remains unclear.

The 26-year-old has been one of Dallas’ most productive and dependable players early in the season, averaging 14.7 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 12 games. His versatility has helped stabilize a frontcourt hit hard by injuries, including absences for Anthony Davis and Dereck Lively II.

Jason Kidd: Early Exit “Put Us Down a Guy Who’s Playing Well”

Head coach Jason Kidd said Washington’s departure immediately altered the team’s rotation and the flow of the game.

“Lose him five minutes into the game,” Kidd said. “But the left shoulder strain, that put us down a guy who’s playing well for us. But the group kept fighting, competing to the end. It’s just the margin is so small for us.”

Dallas finished with 21 turnovers, a problem Kidd said continues to shrink the team’s margin for error amid so many injuries.

Cooper Flagg: P.J. Washington Has Been “Incredible” and “Key for Us”

Rookie forward Cooper Flagg, who scored 16 points while playing through his own shoulder discomfort, said Washington’s absence was significant.

“PJ’s an incredible player for us,” Flagg said. “He’s been really key this year for us. He’s been really big, making a ton of different plays and impacting the game at a high level.”

Flagg added that Dallas fought to adapt but struggled to overcome the loss of another frontcourt piece.

“Somebody goes down, you’ve got to have guys step up and fill roles,” he said. “We didn’t get the win, but I thought a lot of guys stepped up in big moments.”

Rotation Outlook If P.J. Washington Misses Time

If Washington needs additional time to recover, Dallas could face an even more severe frontcourt shortage. Davis remains out with a calf strain, Lively II has missed nine straight games with a knee sprain, and Daniel Gafford continues to play under a minutes restriction.

Without Washington available to return, the Mavericks leaned on Klay Thompson to play 31 minutes off the bench against Phoenix, while Naji Marshall logged 26. Both players are well-positioned to play often.

Given Washington had spent time as a small-ball center earlier this season, an injury amid other frontcourt ailments likely means expanded minutes for Moussa Cissé, who Kidd praised for his activity and energy.

“With the minute restriction on Gaff, the energy he brings to the team spreads quickly,” Kidd said. “Blocking shots, coming up with offensive rebounds, and giving us second opportunities.”

Kidd may also be forced into long stretches of small-ball, depending on the availability of Davis and Lively II later in the week.

What a Shoulder Strain Typically Means

Shoulder strains can range from mild to multi-game setbacks, depending on swelling, pain tolerance and stability. Teams typically conduct imaging within 24–48 hours, and the Mavericks did not provide a timetable for Washington’s return.

Flagg said the team is working to stay steady amid the ongoing disruptions.

“We have not given the fans a lot to love,” he said. “I want to look forward and give them more to be positive about.”

The Mavericks host the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night, and Washington’s status remains uncertain.

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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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P.J. Washington Exits With Shoulder Strain As Dallas Mavericks’ Injury Issues Mount

Jason Kidd: Early Exit “Put Us Down a Guy Who’s Playing Well”

Cooper Flagg: P.J. Washington Has Been “Incredible” and “Key for Us”