Image Source: X
[Saba Sports News] PJ Washington can hardly believe his luck. The Dallas Mavericks clinched an NBA Finals berth with a 124-103 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals on Thursday. This marks Dallas’ first Finals appearance since their 2011 title and only the third in franchise history.
For Washington, this achievement holds extra significance. He started the season with the struggling Charlotte Hornets before being traded to Dallas at the February deadline. During the Mavericks’ locker room celebrations, Washington took to Instagram Live to take a swipe at the Hornets, saying, “From the bottom to the top! We went from the bottom to the top!”
Washington also showed teammate Daniel Gafford, who was traded to the Mavericks from the Washington Wizards, another struggling team. Responding to a comment from his old college teammate, Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro, Washington laughed hysterically. Herro had commented, “How you go from Charlotte to the Finals? You really made it out the mud with this one.”
Washington has thrived in Dallas, becoming an essential piece of their success. Miscast as a No. 2 option in Charlotte, he has settled in as a No. 3 or No. 4 in Dallas, focusing on defense, rebounding, and corner three-point shooting. Remarkably, this is Washington’s first playoff run, making his journey even more impressive.