The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games in the Western Conference Finals to reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 2011. While the Mavericks got there thanks to superstars Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, they wouldn’t have made it this far without P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford, two players the Mavericks acquired from weak basketball teams at the trade deadline.
After Game 5, Washington was celebrating in the locker room on Instagram Live when Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro chimed in with a comment.
Read more: Dallas Mavericks defeat Timberwolves in Game 5 to advance to NBA Finals: 3 game-changing plays
PJ Washington responds to Tyler Herro’s comments on his Instagram Live 😅
(pjwashington/via IG) pic.twitter.com/XjfvfwJhST
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 31, 2024
Herro commented, “How did you get from Charlotte to the Finals? That really got you out of the mud.” Washington yelled, “How did you get from Charlotte to the Finals? Say that again! How did you get from Charlotte to the Finals?” Someone nearby responded, “Are you talking about the team?” Washington could only laugh. (I think it was Daniel Gafford saying it, but I have to look to see who’s saying it to know.)
Washington was the 12th overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft by the Hornets and spent his entire career with them before being traded to Dallas at this year’s trade deadline in exchange for Grant Williams, Seth Curry and draft capital. He grew up in the Dallas area and has been a Mavericks fan most of his life, so making the Finals with Dallas would have special meaning for Washington.
Washington’s trade was met with mixed reviews initially, as the Hornets ended up with a 21-61 record, but he wasn’t even a starter. In Dallas, he was given a clear role, defended at a high level, and became a key part of the Mavericks’ starting line-up, able to take free shots off passes from Doncic and Irving. They wouldn’t have made it to the Finals without his hot shooting performance in the opening series against Oklahoma City.
Read more: Michael Finley hilariously steals Luka Doncic’s beer during Mavericks post-game celebration
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