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Mavs’ P.J. Washington emerging as third scorer after two astonishing playoff games

Washington, who went to school in Frisco, has helped the Mavs take a 2-1 series lead with 56 points and 12 3-pointers in the last two games.

The Mavericks’ first possession of Game 3 foreshadowed another sensational playoff performance from P.J. Washington, who’s emerging as the team’s third scorer behind Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.

Washington brought the ball up the court and handed it off to Irving before cutting to the basket for a one-handed flush over the dynamic rim protector that is Chet Holmgren. Typically expressive on the court, Washington didn’t react and sprinted down the court to get ready to play defense.

“Just trying to be aggressive. I knew he was gonna be help-side so I just tried to get an early post up and just try to put him in the basket,” said Washington, who finished as the team’s top scoring option for the second straight game.

His 27 points with five 3-pointers helped Dallas take a 2-1 series edge over Oklahoma City — two days after he led the Mavericks with playoff career highs in points (29) and 3-pointers (seven).

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Moments before tip-off, Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said he wasn’t surprised at Washington’s Game 2 performance given his history against the Thunder as a member of the Charlotte Hornets. Last season, Washington led the Hornets to a season sweep of Daigneault’s young team. He scored 25 points (on 10-of-13 field goals) in the first meeting and exploded for a career-high 43 points in Oklahoma City on March 28, 2023.

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“It felt like every shot went in when he was in Charlotte,” Daigneault said. “We knew he was a really good player. We have a lot of respect for him, but you have to determine what your priorities are.”

Oklahoma City prioritized blitzing Irving and a hobbled Doncic, which led to open 3-point shots for the Mavericks’ other players. Washington took advantage of those looks when the opportunity presented itself, including the corner 3-pointer that punctuated a 16-0 run for Dallas in the third quarter. Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander left Washington on that play to help double-team Doncic.

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“He’s hooping,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “We have to turn that water off if we want to win this series, for sure.”

Washington is 12-of-23 from 3 over the last two games and 18-of-34 (53%) from beyond the arc since May 3′s Game 6 against the LA Clippers.

“They’ve been leaving me in the corner so I’m just trying to take my time and knock them down,” Washington said of the Thunder’s strategy. “They’re open shots, so for me, just take them with confidence. I’ve been working on them. That’s all I’m doing, honestly.”

Washington’s popularity has heightened since he struck “The Pose” in Game 3 against the Clippers. But since then, the Mavs’ hometown hero from Frisco has remained poised and exuded the three C’s: calm, cool and collected.

After two astonishing playoff games against the best team in the Western Conference, one could argue that Washington’s confidence is at an all-time high.

“No. I’m even-keeled. Can’t get high. Can’t get too low,” he said. “It’s only two games and we need two more, so for me, it’s even-keeled.”

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For a fifth-year player who had never been to the postseason before his return to Dallas, Washington carries himself like a veteran. The words ring true. Dallas needs to win two more games to reach the Western Conference Finals for the second time in three years.

Washington’s role with the Mavericks is becoming clearer with each passing game. It’s what he dreamed of as a kid — playing for the team he grew up watching.

“I’ve been waiting to get here my whole career, so I’m enjoying each and every second of it,” Washington said.

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