Needing someone to step up after dropping Game 1 of their Western Conference semifinals series against the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder, the Dallas Mavericks got a massive first half from P.J. Washington in Game 2.
By halftime, the fifth-year pro had already posted a playoff career-high, recording 19 points on 7-of-11 shooting. Washington lit it up from beyond the arc, hitting 5-of-8 three-point attempts.
A playoff career high 19 PTS and 5 3PM in the first 15 minutes of Game 2 for P.J. Washington!
— NBA (@NBA) May 10, 2024
Mavs-Thunder | Game 2 on ESPN pic.twitter.com/zt0QOedOyh
Acquired at the trade deadline from the Charlotte Hornets, Washington has averaged 10.7 points and 5.4 rebounds over 34 minutes per game during the postseason. However, his big Game 2 could go a long way toward helping the Mavericks get back into the series. They're down 0-1 after dropping Game 1, 117-95.
Likewise, a bounce-back game from Luka Doncic, who had 18 points at halftime on 4-of-6 shooting from deep, has also improved the Mavericks' fortunes. But there is more work to do.
Dallas didn't trail in the first half Thursday but saw a 14-point lead dwindle to only six, 68-62, at the break.
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