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P.J. Washington Emerging as Dallas Mavericks’ Third Scorer Against OKC Thunder

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P.J. Washington Emerging as Dallas Mavericks’ Third Scorer Against OKC Thunder


DALLAS — P.J. Washington is making a name for himself in the playoffs, emerging as the Dallas Mavericks’ third scoring threat behind Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Washington scored 27 points, including five 3-pointers, to help the Mavericks take a 2-1 series lead over the Thunder. This follows his playoff career highs in points (29) and 3-pointers (seven) in Game 2.

Washington’s first possession in Game 3 against the Oklahoma City Thunder set the tone for another impressive performance. He brought the ball up the court, handed it off to Irving, and then cut to the basket for a one-handed flush over the dynamic rim protector that is Chet Holmgren.

“Just trying to be aggressive. I knew he was gonna be help-side, so I just tried to get an early post up and just try to put him in the basket,” Washington said.

May 11, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward P.J. Washington (25) shoots over Oklahoma

May 11, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward P.J. Washington (25) shoots over Oklahoma / Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Since Game 2, the Mavericks have mixed up their approach offensively to begin games, prioritizing getting the ball to Washington in the post since he tends to be guarded by a weaker defender the Thunder want to hide from being the direct matchup on Doncic or Irving. He’s made Oklahoma City pay with his combination of size and skill.

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“We went to him again first play, he was hitting the corners, he made 5 3-pointers today,” Doncic said. “But amazing, being aggressive, shooting with confidence, and we believe in him.”

Mavericks coach Jason Kidd even admitted that given Washington’s results rising to the ocassion, perhaps the team should have turned to him as more of a featured option sooner.

“I think we maybe should have gone to him a little bit earlier,” Kidd said. “The confidence we have in P.J on both ends of the floor, not just shooting the 3 but being able to play in the post or being able to run the offense and get us organized. He has the skillset that he can put the ball on the floor and can make the right plays. We trust that he is going to find the open guy if he isn’t scoring.”

It goes far beyond just running plays for Washington since he’s still doing much of his scoring within the flow of the offense, proving to be such a strong complement to the team that traded for him in February. The combination of being able to attack smaller defenders in the post with the ability to get hot as a catch-and-shoot threat while being capable of re-driving against closeouts to get to the rim or play off of two feet for a floater fills a role on the wing the Mavericks have needed for years.

“We’ve had a committee, as of late. P.J. has taken on that role at a very high level, and we’re going to need him to continue to do that,” Kidd said. “When you have someone that you can go to in the post or who’s able to catch and shoot or also re-drive, P.J. has a skill set to be that third score on that night or even that second score or if our stars are being double teamed.”

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Thunder coach Mark Daigneault praised Washington, referencing Washington’s history against Oklahoma City before being traded by the Charlotte Hornets, where he led the team to a season sweep last season. He scored 25 points while shooting 10-13 from the floor in the first meeting before dropping a career-high 43 points at Paycom Center on March 28, 2023.

“It felt like every shot went in when he was in Charlotte,” Daigneault said. “We knew he was a really good player. We have a lot of respect for him, but you have to determine what your priorities are.”

Oklahoma City prioritized blitzing Irving and a hobbled Doncic, which led to open 3-point shots for the Mavericks’ other players. When the opportunity presented itself, Washington took advantage of those looks, including the corner 3-pointer that punctuated a 16-0 run for Dallas in the third quarter. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander left Washington on that play to help double-team Doncic.

“He’s hooping,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “We have to turn that water off if we want to win this series, for sure.”

Washington has been shooting 12-23 from 3-point range over the last two games and 18-34 since Game 6 of the Mavericks’ first-round playoff series against the LA Clippers. He’s risen to the occasion against defensive strategies emphasizing pre-rotating the low defender to tag the roller and help against drives.

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“They’ve been leaving me in the corner, so I’m just trying to take my time and knock them down,” Washington said. “They’re open shots, so for me, just take them with confidence. I’ve been working on them. That’s all I’m doing, honestly.”

While the scoring flurries that Washington has provided the Mavericks have undoubtedly provided a substantial lift to the team in pivotal moments, he remains an integral contributor to their defense. Whether he’s directly guarding tough on-ball assignments, switching, making timely rotations as the low defender to protect the paint, closing out on a shooter, or using his instincts to record a block or steal, it remains the foundation of his impact.

After two astonishing playoff games against the best team in the Western Conference, Washington emphasized the need to stay “even-keeled.”

“No. I’m even-keeled. Can’t get high. Can’t get too low,” Washington said. “It’s only two games, and we need two more, so for me, it’s even-keeled.”

The Mavericks need to win two more games to reach the Western Conference Finals for the second time in three years. With Washington’s continued emergence, they may have found the third-scoring threat they need to make a deep playoff run.

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“He is just comfortable. You can see that the last two games, but you have seen since March that he is comfortable. Being home, being in the playoffs, he is excited,” Kidd said. “He has been great on both ends and we will need him to continue to do that and get even better on both ends if we want to try and do anything in this series.”

READ MORE: Dereck Lively II Punished Thunder’s ‘Disrespect’ at Free Throw Line

READ MORE: Luka Doncic Continues ‘Battling’ Through Injuries During Playoff Run

READ MORE: Dallas Mavericks Take 2-1 Series Lead Over OKC Thunder



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Public frustration grows as Dallas leaders debate billion‑dollar City Hall fix or relocation

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Public frustration grows as Dallas leaders debate billion‑dollar City Hall fix or relocation


Dallas City Council members spent the day hearing hours of public criticism as they weigh whether to spend roughly $1 billion to repair the aging, 50‑year‑old City Hall or pursue a plan to move out entirely. The meeting grew tense as residents voiced mistrust over the council’s motives, prompting members to suspend normal rules and allow anyone in the chamber to speak. Speakers questioned whether the push to relocate serves the public or private developers, while city staff prepared to present cost and feasibility details during what is expected to be a long evening session.



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Hip-hop hitmaker Cardi B coming to AAC in Dallas

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Hip-hop hitmaker Cardi B coming to AAC in Dallas


Cardi B, one of hip-hop’s most outsize personalities — and one of its most reliable hitmakers — is coming to Dallas.

The New York City-born rapper broke through in 2017 with the hit single “Bodak Yellow,” launching a chart-topping run that soon included “I Like It” and the blockbuster hit “WAP.” Her Grammy-winning debut album, Invasion of Privacy, cemented her as a defining voice in contemporary rap, blending brash humor, confessional storytelling and club-ready production.

The 33-year-old’s success helped boost the profile of women in a genre long dominated by men, encouraging record labels to sign more female rappers. She has frequently teamed up with rising female artists, including GloRilla, FendiDa Rappa and “WAP” collaborator Megan Thee Stallion.

Cardi’s stop at American Airlines Center is part of the arena run supporting her second studio album, 2025’s Am I the Drama? Recent shows in the “Little Miss Drama Tour” have leaned into spectacle, with elaborate staging, surprise guest appearances and a set list that spans her entire career.

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Fans can expect a high-energy performance built around booming trap beats, pop hooks and Cardi’s signature unfiltered banter — the same mix that has helped her sell out dates across the tour and turn concerts into party-like events.

DETAILS: March 7 at 7:30 p.m. at American Airlines Center in Dallas. Tickets start at $334.10, but some verified resale tickets are cheaper. ticketmaster.com.

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Pop legend Diana Ross performs March 7 at the WinStar World Casino in Thackerville, Oklahoma.

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OTHER CONCERTS

Bluesy psychedelic rock band All Them Witches performs March 7 at House of Blues Dallas.

Bluesy psychedelic rock band All Them Witches performs March 7 at House of Blues Dallas.

Travis Pinson

ALL THEM WITCHES March 7 at 8 p.m. at House of Blues Dallas. ticketmaster.com.

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DIANA ROSS March 7 at 8 p.m. at WinStar World Casino in Thackerville, Okla. winstar.com.

RICH BRIAN March 7 at 8 p.m. at The Bomb Factory in Deep Ellum. axs.com.

TRACE ADKINS March 7 at 10 p.m. at Billy Bob’s Texas in Fort Worth. billybobstexas.com.

AFROJACK March 8 at 3 p.m. at It’ll Do Club in Deep Ellum. eventbrite.com.

LITHE March 8 at 8 p.m. at House of Blues Dallas. ticketmaster.com.

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CONAN GRAY March 10 at 8 p.m. at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth. ticketmaster.com.

MATISYAHU March 10 at 8 p.m. at the Granada Theater in Dallas. prekindle.com.

OUR LADY PEACE, WITH THE VERVE PIPE March 12 at 8 p.m. at Tannahill’s Tavern and Music Hall in Fort Worth. ticketmaster.com.

PAUL WALL March 12 at 9 p.m. and March 13 at 10 p.m. at Billy Bob’s Texas in Fort Worth. billybobstexas.com.



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GOP candidates for Texas House face off in Collin County, Park Cities, North Dallas

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GOP candidates for Texas House face off in Collin County, Park Cities, North Dallas


The fiercest legislative primary fights Tuesday in North Texas were inside the GOP.

In Dallas County, two moderate GOP incumbent representatives faced challengers after being censured by their own county party.

In Collin County, several Republican state House members were fending off rivals running to their right.

The Dallas Morning News will provide live election results this evening when the polls close at 7 p.m. Results will be updated throughout the evening for statewide races and Dallas, Collin, Denton, Ellis, Kaufman, Rockwall and Tarrant counties.

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Dallas County, House District 108

Republican Morgan Meyer, first elected in 2014, was challenged by attorney Sanjay Narayan in a district that includes the Park Cities, Oak Lawn and Preston Hollow.

Narayan criticized Meyer for backing renewable energy expansion and for being censured by the Dallas GOP last year.

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Meyer was among House Republicans targeted after disputes over the House speaker vote and chamber rules. He and other lawmakers called the censure effort unconstitutional.

In the campaign, Meyer focused on property tax relief and emergency preparedness after the Camp Mystic tragedy.

Small business owner Allison Mitchell is unopposed in the Democratic primary.

Dallas County, House District 112

Republican Angie Chen Button, who has represented the district covering parts of Dallas, Richardson and Garland since 2009, drew three primary opponents.

Button has highlighted her support for small businesses and public schools and her bipartisan record. A senior member of the Ways and Means Committee, she would play a key role in the state’s property tax debate if reelected.

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Dallas-area delegation in the Texas House of Representatives on Sunday, May 30, 2021, showing State Rep. Angie Chen Button, R-Garland, in the chamber.

Bob Daemmrich / Bob Daemmrich/CapitolPressPhoto

Opponents Chad Carnahan and Tina Price attacked Button for being censured by the Dallas GOP last year, a move she and other lawmakers have criticized as an internal party power struggle.

Carnahan, a businessman, said he wants to lower property taxes and prevent Shariah in Texas.

Price said she would improve public schools and spur the re-use of old buildings. Also in the GOP race: Perry E. Barker Sr.

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Democrat Zach Herbert was unopposed.

Collin County, House District 61

Two Republicans are seeking to represent the district that covers most of McKinney and parts of Frisco and Celina.

Incumbent Keresa Richardson, who was elected in 2024, and former state Rep. Frederick Frazier both support eliminating property taxes.

Richardson, an entrepreneur, said she would expand the Texas voucher-like program for education.

Frazier, a former police officer and McKinney City Council member, was more cautious about expanding the program.

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Frederick Frazier speaks as Rep. Keresa Richardson looks on during a candidate forum for...

Frederick Frazier speaks as Rep. Keresa Richardson looks on during a candidate forum for Republicans in Collin County ahead of the March primary election at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas, Tuesday, February 10, 2026.

Anja Schlein / Special Contributor

Two political newcomers, Jackie Bescherer and Brittany Black, are running in the Democratic primary. Both oppose Texas’ voucher program and vow to increase public education funding.

Collin County, House District 67

Republican Rep. Jeff Leach, first elected in 2012, faces Matt Thorsen in a district that includes parts of Plano, Allen, McKinney and Melissa.

Leach has highlighted his conservative record, including legislation barring Shariah in Texas courts. He also served as a House impeachment manager during Attorney General Ken Paxton’s 2023 trial, a role he has defended amid backlash from activists.

Thorsen, a small business owner and former youth pastor, helped lead the effort to censure Leach last year. He has criticized Leach’s impeachment role and accused him of siding with Democrats on House rules.

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Both support eliminating property taxes, expanding education savings accounts and oppose the development formerly known as EPIC City. Two Democrats are also running, though the district has leaned Republican.

Collin County, House District 70

Three Republicans are competing for the nomination to run against incumbent Democrat Mihaela Plesa, who is running unopposed in her party’s primary.

Democrat Mihaela Plesa responds to questions during a District 70 Candidate Forum hosted by...

Democrat Mihaela Plesa responds to questions during a District 70 Candidate Forum hosted by Raise Your Hand Texas at Plano ISD Academy High School in Plano on Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2022.

Liesbeth Powers / Staff Photographer

George Flint, a former district judge and Collin County Republican Party Chair, emphasized eliminating property taxes and securing the border in his campaign.

Jack Ryan Gallagher, an attorney, said he would attract companies to North Texas, improve public schools and partner with local law enforcement if elected.

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Michael Hewitt, an attorney, said he would gradually lower property taxes and work to keep Texas a business-friendly state.

The district includes parts of Plano, Richardson and Far North Dallas.



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