P.J. Washington Practices After Injury Absence While Lengthy List of Mavericks Players Sit Out
When the Dallas Mavericks face the Golden State Warriors, it’ll have been five days since they lost 118-104 against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The rare gap in the schedule presents an opportunity to rest, gain practice reps, and potentially regain key players from injury.
P.J. Washington returned to practice on Friday after being sidelined for the Mavericks’ loss against the Thunder due to illness. Despite Naji Marshall recording 19 points and four rebounds in 29 minutes in his return from a four-game injury absence in Oklahoma City, he didn’t practice, along with other non-participants Jaden Hardy, Maxi Kleber, Danté Exum, and Brandon Williams.
It’s noteworthy that Hardy, Kleber, and Williams got shots up on the practice court. Since the Mavericks are not required to submit an injury report until Saturday evening before Sunday’s game, meaningful information will take some time to emerge.
Washington last played against the Toronto Raptors, scoring 13 points and grabbing five rebounds in 34 minutes. His impact was sorely missed against the Thunder. He previously had a 27-point, 17-rebound performance in a victory in the last meeting the team played in Oklahoma City, despite the Mavericks playing without Dončić. Getting defensive stops and rebounding became more challenging, as did imposing their will on the boards.
Kleber has been sidelined for two games, last recording two blocks and one assist in 17 minutes in a win over the Washington Wizards. Meanwhile, Hardy sprained his right ankle in the fourth quarter at Capitol One Arena, causing him to miss the past two games. He wasn’t in the rotation, earning six minutes in the fourth quarter, but suffering the injury after scoring 13 points.
The Mavericks did not have Washington available in their first matchup against the Warriors this season—a 120-117 loss on November 12 during NBA Cup Group Play. Marshall started in Washington’s place, while Daniel Gafford was still in the starting group at that point of the season.
Washington averages 12.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.3 steals in 32.6 minutes per game. He’s shooting 45.1% from the floor and 36.0% from beyond the arc, his best in both categories since 2021-22. It has been a struggle for the Mavericks to win games when Washington isn’t in the lineup, with a 1-5 record in those situations. Dallas has gone 15-4 when he does play.
Kleber has struggled to make an impact this season, averaging 1.7 points and 3.0 rebounds in 17.0 minutes per game. While on-court contributions go beyond the box score, his numbers have been the worst of his NBA career by a significant margin. He’s the only player in the league averaging over 15 minutes and scoring under two points per game. Over the last 10 years, the only player who fit this criteria was 38-year-old P.J. Tucker in 2023-24. Regardless, given the lack of depth at the four, his availability remains essential to provide size and defensive versatility.
Hardy’s role has been inconsistent throughout the season, but he remains helpful when an offensive spark is needed. He’s averaged 6.5 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists. Hardy’s being available is essential right now. Exum has continued to wear a brace over his right wrist while seated on the Mavericks’ bench.
The Mavericks could use as much depth as possible when they take on the Warriors on Sunday to create separation in the Western Conference standings. Dallas is 16-9, ranked fourth in the West, and 1.5 games above the fifth-ranked Warriors.
