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Mavericks Suffer Injury Blow on Saturday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Enzo Flojo | Last updated Mar 1, 2025 10:48 PM ET

The Dallas Mavericks took on the Milwaukee Bucks at home on Saturday but their battle on the court was overshadowed by an unfortunate injury setback. Forward PJ Washington exited the game early due to right ankle soreness, the Mavericks announced in the third quarter.

The injury is a concerning development for a Dallas team looking to solidify its playoff positioning in the Western Conference.

Washington, who had been listed as questionable heading into the game, was ultimately cleared to play but was unable to finish the contest. This comes after he was already ruled out for Thursday’s matchup against the Charlotte Hornets.

P.J. Washington Jr. (right ankle soreness) will not return to tonight's game against the Bucks.
— Mavs PR (@MavsPR) March 2, 2025

His absence was felt immediately as Dallas struggled with spacing and defensive versatility against the Bucks' frontcourt.

With the Mavericks in the thick of the playoff race, losing Washington for any extended period would be a significant blow. The 26-year-old forward has been a key piece for Dallas since arriving at the trade deadline, providing much-needed size, defense and floor-spacing alongside Kyrie Irving.

Dallas will now await further updates on Washington’s status, hoping the injury doesn’t linger as they approach a crucial stretch of the season. With a competitive Western Conference playoff picture, the Mavericks can’t afford to lose another key rotation player at this stage.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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