After an excellent game two, Dallas Mavericks forward P.J. Washington had an encore on Saturday. The 25-year-old forward dropped 27 points on 11-23 from the field, and the Dallas Mavericks took game three over the Oklahoma City Thunder 105-101.
Washington didn’t make much of an impact in game one versus the number-one-seeded Thunder. After all, he only played 27 minutes. But, he has played 40 minutes in both games two and three and is doing the most with the time on the floor. The former Charlotte Hornet also had six rebounds all while leading the team in scoring.
LIKE AND RT IF YOU LOVE PJ WASHINGTON pic.twitter.com/0N83YZEA7H
— MFFL NATION (@NationMffl) May 11, 2024
So far in this series, he has become the third star for a Mavericks team that heavily relies on Luka Doncic. and Kyrie Irving to carry the load. Speaking of Doncic, he was tested all game physically, getting hit and falling to the floor on multiple occasions. With knee and ankle issues heading into the game, he still played 40 minutes and scored 22 points. He did shoot inefficiently but made up for it with his 15 rebounds and five assists.
Luka Doncic clearly was laboring after the game. I asked him during the postgame presser what was hurting as he walked off: “Everything,” he said. “I’m just battling out there.” pic.twitter.com/Fh94yc2ECf
— Brad Townsend (@townbrad) May 11, 2024
As for Irving, he also dropped 22 while dishing out seven assists and five rebounds.
In all, despite shooting worse from the field and at the free-throw line compared to Oklahoma City, Dallas got the victory.
Speaking of the Thunder, their leader Shai Gilgeous-Alexander did all he could. 31 points, ten rebounds, and six assists was once again another impressive stat line by the MVP candidate. In the end, it just wasn’t enough to take a 2-1 series lead.
Up Next
With the number one seed Thunder at the brink of being down 3-1, they look to bounce back in game four before heading back home for game five. As for the Mavericks, getting the same production as they did from Washington will only help the team’s cause with Doncic dealing with his injuries.
KYRIE IRVING pic.twitter.com/UwKuuQ1CzD
— MFFL (@Mavs_FFL) May 11, 2024
Game four is set for Monday.
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Featured Image: Tim Heitman/Getty Images
