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P.J. Washington Practices, Set To Return For Dallas Mavericks Against Golden State Warriors

Grant AfsethJanuary 22, 2026January 22, 2026

P.J. Washington shoots free throws during a pregame workout at American Airlines Center before Mavericks vs. Nets

Photo by Nick White/DallasHoopsJournal.com

The Dallas Mavericks took a meaningful step toward stabilizing their rotation Wednesday, with P.J. Washington returning to practice and positioning himself to play Thursday night against the Golden State Warriors.

Washington missed Dallas’ previous two games due to personal reasons after initially dealing with a right ankle sprain. His return comes as the Mavericks are playing their fastest and most efficient stretch of basketball this season — but doing so without one of their most reliable two-way frontcourt anchors.

Head coach Jason Kidd confirmed Washington’s availability trajectory while outlining the broader practice picture.

“D’Lo and Gaff went through practice, and P.J. went through practice as well,” Kidd said. “Moussa is sick, so he wasn’t here today.”

Why P.J. Washington’s Return Matters in This Moment

Washington has averaged 14.6 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists across 31 games this season while shooting 45.5% from the field. He has started all 31 of those games, posting four double-doubles and consistently logging heavy minutes — 21 of his appearances have come in the 30–39 minute range.

That workload underscores his role as more than a complementary piece.

During Dallas’ recent surge — highlighted by a 114–97 road win at Madison Square Garden, where the Mavericks shot 48.8% overall and 46.9% from three — Washington’s absence forced Dallas into narrower margins. The Mavericks compensated with pace and shooting, but they did so without a forward who averages 7.4 rebounds per game and regularly finishes defensive possessions without requiring extra help.

Washington’s rebounding profile matters in context. Of his 229 total rebounds this season, 186 have come on the defensive glass, an area Kidd has repeatedly emphasized as the trigger point for Dallas’ transition attack. Against the Knicks, that principle was explicit.

“We rebounded the ball,” Kidd said. “We knew it was going to be a fight on the glass, and I thought the group did an incredible job of boxing out and giving them one shot. Then turning that into being able to get out and play fast.”

Washington’s return restores a player who naturally fits that sequence: rebound, outlet, sprint.

Dallas Mavericks Gain Needed Versatility

Against a Warriors team coming off a 145–127 loss to Toronto, in which Golden State surrendered 70 first-half points and committed 18 turnovers, Dallas enters with momentum — and now, reinforcements. Beyond the box score, Washington’s value shows up in lineup stability. He has defended both forward spots and spent meaningful minutes at center this season, including several games with double-digit rebounds while switching across matchups.

Earlier this season, Washington delivered several high-impact performances that underscored his value on both ends of the floor. He scored 29 points with 12 rebounds at Houston on Nov. 3, followed by a 27-point outing in Miami on Nov. 24, and later added 25 points and 14 rebounds at Utah on Dec. 15, providing Dallas with interior scoring, defensive stability, and a reliable release valve when pace alone was not enough.

Those performances illustrate why Dallas has leaned on him as a pressure release when pace alone isn’t enough.

Against Golden State, that versatility looms large. The Warriors generate stress through movement and spacing, forcing defenders to cover ground repeatedly. Washington’s ability to guard without over-helping reduces breakdowns that lead to corner threes and scramble rotations — an issue Dallas has had to solve collectively in his absence.

Daniel Gafford also practiced Wednesday as he continues working back from a right ankle sprain. He’s remained sidelined for the previous three games since reaggravating his right ankle against the Denver Nuggets after playing 18 minutes.

While his status remains listed as questionable, his return would further stabilize Dallas’ interior. Without Gafford, the Mavericks have relied on gang rebounding and early help at the rim — workable, but demanding.

Kidd noted that balance becomes easier as bodies return.

“As we get healthier, can we continue to keep running?” Kidd said. “That group in New York played extremely fast, and rebounding helped with that.”

Gafford’s presence would reduce the rebounding load on Washington and allow Dallas to maintain pace without sacrificing rim protection.

D’Angelo Russell is Back, What About Moussa Cissé?

D’Angelo Russell practiced after recently missing multiple games due to illness. His availability has fluctuated, but when active, Dallas’ offense has shown improved organization without slowing tempo — particularly important as shooters like Max Christie and Klay Thompson stretch coverage.

Moussa Cissé did not practice due to illness and remains questionable. Cissé has provided energy minutes recently, but Washington’s return lessens the need to overextend smaller lineups if Cissé is unavailable.

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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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