P.J. Washington's Dominant Performance in OKC Lifts Mavericks Past Thunder: 'I Just Enjoy the Matchup'
P.J. Washington’s dynamic performance with 27 points, 17 rebounds, and clutch plays led the Mavericks to a 121-119 win over the Thunder in Luka Dončić’s absence.
OKLAHOMA CITY – With Luka Dončić sidelined by a right knee contusion, the Dallas Mavericks turned to P.J. Washington to lead the charge in a gritty 121-119 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday night. Washington delivered 27 points and a career-high 17 rebounds.
It was Washington’s first 20-point, 10-rebound regular season performance as a member of the Mavericks and the seventh of his NBA career. His 27 points were the second-highest regular season game of his Dallas tenure.
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Washington, who had struggled from beyond the arc and the free-throw line early in the season, turned things around dramatically. Entering the game, Washington shot 7-of-32 (21.9%) from three-point range and 3-of-8 (37.5%) from the free-throw line. Against the Thunder, he was nearly flawless, going 3-of-4 (75%) from deep and a perfect 10-of-10 (100%) from the charity stripe.
“I’ve been doing a lot of touch shooting since I’ve been out—just working on mechanics, rhythm, and stuff like that,” Washington said. “It’s about getting more comfortable and taking my time.”
Dominance on the Glass and in the Clutch
Washington’s relentless energy extended beyond his shooting. He helped Dallas dominate the rebounding battle 53-29 against an undersized Thunder team, missing centers Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Jaylin Williams. Washington pulled down 6 of his 17 rebounds on the offensive glass and scored a season-high 6 points derived from putbacks, including an emphatic dunk off his miss.
“We knew coming in they weren’t really good on the boards because of their size,” Washington said. “Just attack the glass, make them foul, and put them in bad spots. Credit to Lively and Gafford—they played their butts off, and it was a great team win.”
Late in the fourth quarter, Washington came through with pivotal plays to secure the victory. He hit a floater to stop a Thunder run and assisted Kyrie Irving on a corner three-pointer to rebuild a double-digit lead.
“We’ve been in situations like this before where things start slipping, but tonight we stayed together,” Washington said. “I just tried to make the right play and keep us on track.”
Designed Post Ups for Washington
Head coach Jason Kidd emphasized how integral Washington was to the Mavericks’ success. Dallas scripted some early post touches for Washington since the base matchup was a mismatch, similar to how the team approached the playoffs. He scored 8 points in the post after being scoreless in this play type on the season.
“We were playing through P.J. tonight,” Kidd said. “It’s his second game back, and we’re posting him up as much as we could and asking him to do everything on the defensive end. He was great.”
Washington had consistently delivered strong performances at Paycom Center, including during last season’s Western Conference semifinals, when he averaged 17.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in this building. He attributes part of his success to the familiarity and competitive spirit of playing with Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, his former college teammate at Kentucky.
“I think I just enjoy the matchup,” Washington said. “I went to school with Shai, so I love matching up against him. He’s a great player, and they’ve got a great team over there. I love playing against him for sure.”
Washington Eager to Gain Dončić Back
The Mavericks will now prepare for a home matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday, with Dončić potentially returning to the lineup. As the team looks to build on its 7-7 record, Washington’s breakout performance reminds the NBA of the depth and versatility Dallas can bring to the table when everyone steps up.
“When he’s on the floor, he brings so much attention, and when he’s not, it’s a lot different,” Washington said of Dončić. “He’s a special player, and we need him back. I can’t wait to get him back. It was tough winning without him, but I can’t wait until he’s back.”
Sunday’s game marked a turning point for Washington, whose shooting and rebounding lifted Dallas to victory. As the Mavericks continue to develop their identity, Washington’s ability to find his rhythm could prove crucial in their push for consistency in the Western Conference.
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