PJ Washington grew into a playoff basketball player in Mavericks’ Game 2 win

The NBA game is entirely different from regular season to playoffs. Even if you’re a casual observer, it’s obvious that it’s a different beast. And it’s not just an uptick in quality opponents, intensity, or stakes. The style of play alters rapidly, with little time to get comfortable in its transition.

So how does one respond when they have no playoff experience to fall back on, and when their team needs them most?

Ask PJ Washington, who contributed 18 points, six rebounds, a steal, and two blocks in the Dallas Mavericks’ 96-93 win in Game 2 against the Los Angeles Clippers on the road Tuesday night. The win evens the series 1-1 and puts Dallas in the driver’s seat as they stole home court. But it wasn’t just the final stat line for Washington that is so key, it’s how he got there, in what was a roller-coaster of a night and could become a coming of age tale for his playoff future.

“Just how physical the game was. Obviously they punched us in the mouth coming in in Game 1,” Washington reflected Tuesday postgame in what he learned and adjusted to from one playoff game to the next. “We just wanted to respond tonight and I feel like we set the tone defensively and with our aggression out there…I just love being physical. It’s all fun and games for me.”

That fun was evident all of Tuesday. Credit to both Washington and his running mate Derrick Jones Jr., who are tasked with disrupting Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, and at times James Harden. They haven’t backed down from the challenge, often picking ballhandlers up full court and forcing all three of them to navigate physical perimeter length. This assignment, and expectation, dates back to Washington’s introductory press conference in Dallas. While speaking on his desire to showcase a defensive versatility he didn’t display while playing with the Charlotte Hornets, Mavericks GM Nico Harrison echoed that desire and promised the team would hold him accountable and push him in that direction.

But for the Mavericks to really make a run this postseason it can’t just be about the defensive end. Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving are brilliant, and that shone Tuesday as they combined for 55 points in the victory. However they cannot do it alone, as the Clippers become more and more aggressive in sending double teams to get the ball out of their hands. Washington needs to be the release valve to that pressure, attacking overzealous rotations and closeouts, or flashing to the basket for dump down passes. When he is active off the Doncic-Irving actions the Mavericks are truly dangerous.

For a long stretch of Tuesday’s game those opportunities seemed too big a moment for Washington. Three of his first four shot attempts were at the rim, point blank range, and none went in. The first two in the half court, working off bad closeouts and weakside coverage, and the other an absolute gimme-alley-oop in transition. He eventually went on to miss a fourth in transition on a Kawhi-contested drive. Washington looked tentative on each attempt, either gassed from defensive effort or nervous to make a mistake.

But it didn’t slow Washington down. He continued his aggressive defense and kept shooting the ball. The mental fortitude to push through that poor offensive play and still give effort and trust his scoring ability is not something you see often from a young player in just his second playoff game. In the final nine minutes of the game Washington scored 10 points, including two massive threes and two free throws with 34 seconds left.

Maintaining that confidence, in that situation, after that many easy misses, is no small feat. It’s maturity within himself, and belief from teammates. “It’s always great when you have your whole team behind you,” he reflected postgame, “telling you to take the next shot, and just cheering you on. So credit to them, and I’m just glad I’m here.”

The Mavericks will need more from Washington, in this series and beyond. He, and the team, can’t afford slip ups in easy scoring opportunities — especially in a series that has turned quickly into a defensive battle. Going 5-of-10 from the floor, including 3-of-4 from three, is a solid night out. But being 2-of-6 from inside the lane won’t work against this Clippers defense. The hope is the momentum of that final 10 minutes can sustain for Washington going into Game 3. And if his playoff level mental strength on display is any indication, the Mavericks could become mighty dangerous.