P.J. Washington ‘can’t wait’ for AAC playoff debut with the Dallas Mavericks

Friday night’s Game 3 of Mavericks-Clippers in American Airlines Center had numerous subplots besides the importance of the game itself.

It was the home playoff debut of the Luka Doncic-Kyrie Irving tandem. There was the question of whether Daniel Gafford would play after being listed as questionable with back spasms.

From a sentimentality standpoint, though, it was hard to put in perspective the emotions of Mavericks forward P.J. Washington, who grew up in Frisco from the first through 10th grades, often attending regular season games in AAC but never a playoff game.

“Just being able to have my first [playoff] experience here in Dallas means the world to me,” Washington said after the Mavericks’ Friday morning shootaround. “Obviously, it’s a full-circle moment for me, so I couldn’t sleep last night. I’m just excited to come out here and play.”

When asked whether he truly couldn’t sleep Thursday night, Washington smiled.

“Yeah, definitely. I’m excited to play. I was like that in L.A. [before Games 1 and 2], as well. It’s my first playoff, so I’m just excited,” he said.

In Dallas’ 96-93 Game 2 victory in Crypto.com Arena, Washington scored 18 points, including 10 in the fourth quarter. Defensively, Washington and Derrick Jones Jr. have been primarily tasked with guarding Clippers future Hall of Famers Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.

When Mavericks players arrived in AAC for Friday’s shootaround, blue t-shirts with the words “One For All” had been placed over every seat.

“I can’t wait,” Washington said. “I can’t wait to see the stands all blue, cheering ‘Mavs’ all night.”

Washington called Friday night a “must win,” adding: “Everybody knows that. We’ve obviously got to protect home. In the playoffs, you’ve got to win the home games.”

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