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P.J. Washington · With a pair of series victories as an underdog already attached to their résumés, the Dallas Mavericks, even given the daunting 0-3 deficit, entered Game Four with both plenty to play for and the players capable of providing much-needed energy. In one strong opening-quarter statement, P.J. Washington did his part in ensuring that Dallas not only protected their home floor, but spaced it as well. Buoyed by the energy of a fired-up crowd eager to secure their first NBA Finals victory since 2011, the versatile swingman snags Jaylen Brown’s missed shot before pushing the ball, in search of a transition look. Smooth in filling the lane and finding an unnoticed spot around the 3-point arc, Washington reaps his reward, draining a quick, catch-and-shoot 3-pointer to push the Mavericks’ lead to 13. In a game in which they led by as much as 48, the Mavericks tightened the needed screws, ultimately using a 38-point demonstration to extend their season to another game. Logging just 13 minutes of action, Washington found time to make a few long-range statements, contributing six points, two rebounds, and a pair of triples to Dallas’ historic win on June 14, 2024. · State of Mint