On Tuesday, the Dallas Mavericks’ seven-game winning streak ended in San Francisco against the Warriors. The Mavericks had an opportunity to get revenge on Friday, this time in Dallas.
Unfortunately, Dallas (47-30) was without their best player and MVP candidate, Luka Doncic (knee soreness), so that meant others had to step up in his absence; P.J. Washington was that guy, and he did it on both ends.
He had 32 points(most points as a Maverick), five rebounds, three assists, five steals, and two blocks, including the game-winning layup as Dallas defeated the Warriors 108-106.
Washington, who made five threes, discussed the game-winner.
“I saw Draymond [Green] had his head toward Tim [Hardaway Jr.], and he was driving,” he said. “I thought he was going shoot it so I try to get a rebound, and he passed it, so I just tried to make a play and win the game.”
Kyrie Irving, who had 26 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists, knew Washington could have a special game.
“You could tell it was going to be a special night just based off how he started the game,” Irving said. “And that’s what we need, especially when we don’t have certain guys in the lineup, and we need that offensive firepower, and he came out and did it on both ends of the floor.”
Mavs coach Jason Kidd liked what he saw on both ends of the court from Washington, who helped get the ball out of Steph Curry’s hands on the Warriors’ final possession.
“He was great on both ends,” Kidd said. “He stepped up offensively. On the defensive end, he has been doing it all season since he has been here. We needed someone to step up and not be Luka[Dončić] but get us some points, and I thought he did a great job of just rhythm catch-and-shoot or putting the ball on the floor. We played small, so his ability to roll, catch, and finish was big tonight for us.”
With the win, the Mavericks are 13-2 in their last 15 games, the best record in any 15-game stretch this season. The last time the Mavericks had a 15-game stretch with a 13-2 record or better was in the 2010-11 season, the year the team won their one and only NBA title.
Dallas finishes off their three-game homestand on Sunday against the Rockets.
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