DALLAS — Dallas Mavericks forward P.J. Washington made an unforgettable and emotional home playoff debut Friday night in a 101-90 win over the Los Angeles Clippers at American Airlines Center, ending the series' second series. He helped build a 1-1 lead.
A notable confrontation with Terrence Mann in the fourth quarter led to a double technical. Washington remained calm with his arms folded despite the escalating reaction from his opponents and teammates around him. His calm during this tense moment was likened to a historic act of defiance in art and popular culture.
April 26, 2024. Dallas, Texas, USA.Dallas Mavericks forward PJ Washington (25) and center Daniel
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
The crossed-arms pose quickly went viral and became a meme by the next morning. Washington explained this to ESPN's Tim McMahon: “Man was upset that I was looking at the bench, so he decided to look again.”
“After the game, I wanted to get the flick right,” Washington added, demonstrating a combination of focus and talent.
I couldn't relieve my tension there either. Late in the game, Washington was once again involved in a scuffle, this time with Russell Westbrook, and both players were ejected after Westbrook was assessed for a flagrant foul on Luka Doncic.
“You always have to protect the 77 at all costs,” Washington told McMahon. “I mean, it was obviously a hard foul, but then he shoved him and I was right there, so I just stepped in there.”
Doncic thanked his teammates for being there, calling Washington a team player and thanking him for having him on the team.
“Great. There's nothing else to say. He's a team player and helps all of us. I'm really happy to have him on our team,” Doncic said.
Despite the conflict, Washington contributed 10 points and five rebounds, making a big impact in his first playoff appearance at American Airlines Center.
“P.J. is great. He's not afraid of anything,” Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said. , you can tell he's comfortable.”
Kidd praised Washington's competitiveness and willingness to stand up for his teammates. However, Washington emphasized the importance of the team remaining mentally sharp despite the on-court conflicts.
“It's tough on everyone. He's competing. “We're all competing every inch to find a way to win. This series is a very physical play, so it's more mental as the innings go on. It's going to be something,” Kidd said. The mental aspect of this series requires us to be sharp and understand what's going on. I thought the players did a great job of protecting each other. ”
The physical and mental demands have increased as the Mavericks continue in the series, but Washington's standout moments not only boosted team morale but captivated fans and media alike.
