Dallas Mavericks Rule Out P.J. Washington Against Sacramento Kings

Grant AfsethJanuary 6, 2026January 6, 2026

Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images

The Dallas Mavericks will be without P.J. Washington on Tuesday night against the Sacramento Kings, as Washington was officially ruled out with a right ankle sprain despite going through his regular pre-game workout at Golden 1 Center.

Washington’s status had been trending cautiously optimistic after head coach Jason Kidd described the injury as “day-to-day” following Saturday’s 110–104 win over Houston. He was listed as doubtful entering the matchup but was on the court during shootaround and again during his normal pre-game routine, a notable step in his recovery. Still, Dallas opted for a conservative approach and held him out as the three-game road trip opened in Sacramento.

Washington has averaged 14.7 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 30 games this season, serving as a key two-way presence in Dallas’ frontcourt. His absence adds further strain to a rotation already navigating multiple injuries.

Adjusted Starting Lineup In Sacramento

With Washington sidelined, Dallas adjusted its starting group against Sacramento. The Mavericks opened with Max Christie, Naji Marshall, Cooper Flagg, Anthony Davis, and Daniel Gafford.

The alignment preserves Dallas’ emphasis on size and rim protection while keeping Christie in the starting role following his breakout performance against Houston, when he scored 24 points on 10-of-13 shooting.

Kyrie Irving Continues On-Court Progression

While Washington was ruled out, Kyrie Irving remained active behind the scenes. Irving traveled with the Mavericks to Sacramento and went through a workout with assistant coach Phil Handy after shootaround, continuing a pattern of on-court work during the team’s road trip.

Irving was also seen earlier this season working one-on-one with Handy during training camp in Vancouver and has periodically participated in individual drills with teammates, including post work with Flagg. There is still no disclosed timetable for a return, but his presence on a three-game road swing that includes stops in Sacramento and Utah is viewed as a sign of gradual progression.

Irving averaged 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists in 50 games during the 2024–25 season and was selected to his ninth All-Star Game before suffering a torn ACL.

Road Context For Dallas Mavericks

Dallas enters the matchup attempting to snap a seven-game road losing streak after ending a four-game overall skid with Saturday’s win over Houston. The Mavericks are 3-12 away from home and remain outside the Western Conference play-in picture as the season approaches its midpoint.

With Washington day-to-day and Irving still rehabbing, Dallas will continue to lean heavily on Davis and its frontcourt depth as the trip continues. The Mavericks will also play in Utah and Chicago before returning home next week.

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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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