BBNBA: PJ Washington hits 'em with an old-school mean mug after scoring game-winner

The Dallas Mavericks were without MVP candidate Luka Doncic on Friday night, but fear not, they had PJ Washington. The former Wildcat and newly-minted Maverick scored a game-high 32 points, but none were as big as his final two with 1.8 seconds left on the clock. Washington caught a tough pass from a driving Tim Hardaway Jr. on a drive and dropped in a physical layup to put Dallas up for good and seal the 108-106 victory of the Golden State Warriors.

The best part of his game-winner is that PJ hit ’em with that old-school Kentucky mean mug as he ran back down the court. It was the same look he gave Wildcat foes many times after dunking on their heads while wearing a Kentucky uniform.

TALK TO ‘EM, P.J.‼️ @PJWashington // #MFFL pic.twitter.com/v3dD6L5Fkc

— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) April 6, 2024

Washington’s 32 points were the most he has had as a member of the Dallas Mavericks, as were his five (yes, FIVE) steals. He also chipped in five rebounds, two assists, and two blocks in what was by far his best game with his new franchise.

The game also had serious playoff implications. There is a heated six-team race to finish in the top six of the Western Conference and avoid the play-in scenario. Dallas’s win on Friday held the team firm at 5th West with five games to go.

Immanuel Quickley comes up one assist shy of a triple-double in Toronto’s win

PJ Washington’s Kentucky teammate, Immanuel Quickley, had himself a game for his new team as well. The crafty guard nearly posted a triple-double with 25 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists. He also had three steals and a +14 in the plus-minus column.

I’m not sure if this makes it more or less impressive, but Quickely scored 14 of his 25 points from the free-throw line. He only missed one on the night from the stripe, but was otherwise 4-12 from the field and 3-8 from deep.

After the game, while PJ Washington was mean-muggin’, Immanuel Quickley was prayin’. He joined the Milwaukee Bucks in a prayer circle at center court. Out of context, it looks like Quick snuck into a team huddle, but it turns out they were just sending up love to Quickley’s uncle, who passed away recently.

Respect.

very nice gesture from giannis and the bucks praying for quickley's late uncle❤️ pic.twitter.com/iAdq5sY9Bc

— 𝙯𝙤 (@ogchabzo) April 6, 2024

De’Aaron Fox put up 40 in a narrow Sacramento loss

It’s not every day that a former Kentucky player puts up 40 points and isn’t mentioned until the third section down of a KSR BBNBA post, but here we are. De’Aaron Fox posted 40 points on 16-29 shooting to lead all former NBA ‘Cats on Friday night, but his Kings lost by a point to the Boston Celtics, 101-100.

Fox has had to pick up for the scoring-off-the-bench Malik Monk provided the team, ever since they lost Monk to a knee injury, but on this occasion, he was unable to get them over championship favorite, the Boston Celtics.

The Kings are in the mix with a host of other teams who are jockeying for the top six in the West.

Other BBNBA Notes:

• Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro combined for 35 points for the Miami Heat, as they took care of business against the Houston Rockets. Bam had a customary double-double as he finished with 12 boards as well. Herro also chipped in five boards and six assists off the bench.
• With the Final Four in town, in what would have been a game attended by many Kentucky fans had their team not fell victim to yet another first-round exit, the Phoenix Suns and Devin Booker took care of the Karl-Anthony Towns-less Timberwolves. Book only had 13 points, but he also had 13 assists in his team’s win.
• Former Wildcat and UCLA March Madness darling, Johnny Juzang played a season-high 25 minutes on Friday, however his nine points were not enough to get the win. The Jazz have now dropped 18 of their last 21 games including 11 in a row as they tank in order to get their best shot at drafting Reed Sheppard or Rob Dillingham (if they go pro, of course).

BBNBA Statistics for 4/5/2024

Player	Score	PTS	FG (3PT)	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	P/M	MIN
De’Aaron Fox (SAC)	100-101 L vs. BOS	40	16-29 (7-13)	4	2	1	0	1	+2	44
PJ Washington (DAL)	108-106 W vs. GSW	32	12-18 (5-8)	5	3	5	2	4	+8	40
Immanuel Quickley (TOR)	117-111 W vs. MIL	25	4-12 (3-8)	11	9	3	0	1	+14	36
Bam Adebayo (MIA)	119-104 W vs. HOU	18	7-12 (0-0)	12	6	1	1	1	+16	33
Tyler Herro (MIA)	119-104 W vs. HOU	17	7-14 (1-4)	5	6	0	0	0	+11	25
Devin Booker (PHX)	97-87 W vs. MIN	13	3-12 (1-5)	3	13	3	0	7	+19	34
Johnny Juzang (UTA) [Two-way]	102-131 L vs. LAC	9	3-8 (2-5)	7	3	1	1	0	-13	31
Brandon Boston Jr. (LAC)	131-102 W vs. UTA	4	2-6 (0-2)	0	0	0	0	0	+2	7
Isaiah Jackson (IND)	126-112 W vs. OKC	4	1-2 (0-0)	0	0	0	2	0	+6	11
Trey Lyles (SAC)	100-101 L vs. BOS	3	1-7 (1-5)	2	0	0	0	0	-14	17
Cason Wallace (OKC)	112-126 L vs. IND	2	1-5 (0-1)	1	1	3	1	2	-29	21
Julius Randle (NYK)	100-108 L vs. CHI	DNP-Shoulder
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC)	112-126 L vs. IND	DNP-Quad
Karl-Anthony Towns (MIN)	87-97 L vs. PHX	DNP-Knee
Malik Monk (SAC)	100-101 L vs. BOS	DNP-Knee
Olivier Sarr (OKC) [Two-way]	112-126 L vs. IND	DNP-G League
Oscar Tshiebwe (IND) [Two-way]	126-112 W vs. OKC	DNP-G League
Nick Richards (CHA)	124-115 W vs. ORL	DNP-Foot
Shaedon Sharpe (POR)	108-102 W vs. WAS	DNP-Core
TyTy Washington (MIL)	111-117 L vs. TOR	DNP-CD
Chris Livingston (MIL)	111-117 L vs. TOR	DNP-CD
Keldon Johnson (SAS)	111-109 W vs. NOP	DNP-Ankle

Today in the NBA

3:30: Cavaliers @ Lakers (Davis, Vanderbilt: Out)
7:00: Pistons @ Nets
8:00: 76ers (Maxey) @ Grizzlies
9:00: Hawks @ Nuggets (Murray)