Mavericks' playoff fate hinges on unsung hero from 2024 NBA Finals run

After last night's loss to the Brooklyn Nets, the Dallas Mavericks remain the No. 9 seed in the Western Conference, and it would take an absolute miracle for them to fall out of the Play-In Tournament. Dallas will have a spot in the postseason if they can remain the No. 9 or 10 seed, and the Sacramento Kings are currently 0.5 games behind them, while the Phoenix Suns are 1.5 games behind them.

While all signs are pointing to Dallas earning a spot in the play-in, they are going to need to step it up if they expect to make any noise. They can't expect to win two play-in games in a row if they play like they did against Brooklyn on Monday, and that starts with everyone.

They're going to need more out of Anthony Davis moving forward, as star power is crucial for the playoffs. He is going to have to play like the superstar he is, but as Mavs fans know well, the role players are going to be pivotal as well.

P.J. Washington must help carry the Mavericks when it matters most

One role player who will naturally have a big role down this final stretch of the regular season and into the postseason is P.J. Washington, and their chances of making the playoffs could end up resting on his ability to take his game to the next level. When on the floor since the Luka Doncic trade, Washington has been excellent, as he has averaged 16.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 0.8 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting 49.3 percent from the field and 37 percent from downtown.

His two-way ability will make him someone that Jason Kidd heavily relies upon, and they are going to need him in their two potential play-in games as well as a potential first-round series against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Washington has experience dominating in the playoffs, as he became a Mavs fan favorite after his monster series against the Thunder last year, and he could end up holding the keys to the Mavs securing a spot beyond the Play-In Tournament.

Dallas is going to need Washington to drill open shots while playing solid defense on the other end, and those are both things that he is more than capable of. Assuming Dallas will be healthy in two weeks when the play-in begins, Washington will likely start at the three with Davis at the four and Dereck Lively II or Daniel Gafford at the five.

This means that Washington must be a consistent floor spacer to help out Davis and the two centers, and if he can't make open shots, the Mavs may be in trouble. On the other end of the floor, Washington will have to guard the opponent's best wing since Davis and Lively II or Gafford will be on the bigs, and that won't be an easy task either.

Time and time again, Washington has proved to be one of the best defenders on the team, but having to guard down and defend a quicker wing or guard will cause him to have his hands full at all times on that end. He can definitely do that, but it'll be a bit different from the role he had last season when he helped lead the Mavs to the 2024 NBA Finals.

Last season, Derrick Jones Jr. typically defended the best guard on the other team while Washington guarded one of the best frontcourt players, and now he is going to be forced to take on a much heavier defensive role when it comes to perimeter defense. He is going to have Davis and Lively II or Gafford to help down low, but he may be forced to defend down a bit more than he is used to.

On offense, Washington may not get the same looks from three as he did in last season's playoffs due to Dallas's lack of guard depth (those who can create shots for him), and they will end up having to depend on him to create his own offense more than last season.

It'll be an uphill battle for the Mavericks to escape the Play-In Tournament, and Washington's performances could end up making or breaking their season. He seemingly always steps up in big moments, and Mavs fans will be praying for more of the same.