Mavericks unleash unstoppable version of P.J. Washington with simple change

The Dallas Mavericks won their first game of the season on Sunday night, as they beat the Toronto Raptors 139-129. The team played balanced basketball, and multiple players stepped up in a much-needed win at home. One player who played a big part was P.J. Washington. The Dallas forward has demonstrated his versatility in the past three games, transitioning into multiple roles.

Recently, Washington has proved how difficult it is to bench him, as he has started all three games for Dallas in Jason Kidd's new big lineup. He has shown his worth during that time span, averaging 17.5 points per game and shooting 54.5 percent overall. He has been the Mavs' muse, scoring from all angles, and has been a key secondary ball handler and playmaker.

One thing that has stuck out is Washington's ability to score inside the paint. He has done a tremendous job using his big frame to fight for shots inside, while also getting to the free-throw line. His new offensive aggressiveness has kept the Mavs' offense afloat and allowed the team to score much-needed shots. It's no wonder Washington received a contract extension over the summer, as he continues to develop his game each season and is slowly turning himself into someone that Dallas can't survive without.

P.J. Washington's finishing inside has been unstoppable

Last offseason, Washington became a solid shooter, as he retooled his jump shot to improve his outside shooting. He shot 38.1 percent from the 3-point line last season and had multiple months where he shot above 40 percent from beyond the arc. It was evident his new tool was key to him remaining a key piece in the Mavs' rotation and becoming a long-term fit.

Fast forward to this season, and it seems Washington added another tool to his offensive game. Washington has been aggressive in attacking the paint in the past three games. He has done a great job using his footwork to evade defenders and then bodying them anytime that they are in his way in the lane. This was extremely evident against the Raptors on Sunday.

In multiple instances this season, Washington could be seen attacking the rim and then using a Euro step to score inside. This has made him a deadly force in the paint, as it tricks defenders into a bind. His juke allows him to either body his way in for a bucket or draw the foul.

For example, look at the video above. Washington does well at fighting for a better shot inside the paint, then using his strength and touch to get the bucket and the foul. He doesn't need to be an everyday 3-point threat and can score on defenders in multiple ways.

Washington struggled shooting the ball Sunday, as he shot 33.3 percent from the 3-point line. This is the nice part of his game, though; he doesn't need to be a solid shooter offensively. Washington can score on opponents in a variety of ways. His bump layup inside is one of the many tools he can use.

So, whether he is in the starting lineup or not, Washington has proven his worth. He could find himself in the running for the Sixth Man of the Year award if Kidd moves him to the bench, as he can do a variety of things with the ball. Not to mention, Washington is an established defender who can get things done on both sides of the ball.

Now, all Washington needs to do is continue playing at an elite level. He is having a great start to the season, scoring in multiple ways, especially inside in transition. Dallas will need him to be on his "A" game Monday when they host the 2025 NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder, a team Washington is very familiar with.

Patriots Concerns on TreVeyon Henderson Remain Despite Breakout Day

It was, at long last, what Patriots fans had been waiting for. Rookie second-round pick TreVeyon Henderson, who showed so much promise in training camp, who was tabbed as a breakout star heading into the season, the guy who would wrest the starting RB1 job from Rhamondre Stevenson, has mostly been a disappointment to open the season. He had not much shown his big-play ability, and his struggles in pass protection left coaches wary of putting him on the field.

Coming into the Week 8 game against the Browns–for whom his Ohio State teammate, Quinshon Judkins, had been starring–Henderson had 153 yards on 43 carries, an average of 3.6 yards per play. He’d totaled 16 catches for 99 yards in the passing game.

But on Sunday, in the 32-13 blowout win, Henderson got 10 carries on the 14 snaps he played, and racked up 75 yards, which included a 27-yard run and 30 yards on his first two carries in the Patriots’ opening drive. It was a good showing–until his final carry, a three-yard gain late in the fourth quarter inside the Cleveland 10-yard line that ended with a fumble and a turnover.

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TreVeyon Henderson Hoping to Learn From Mistake

Such is the story of the Patriots’ 2025 running backs, a frustrating mix of upside and promise on one hand, and an inability to hold onto the ball on the other. Stevenson has three fumble already this season, and Antonio Gibson, now out for the year with a knee injury, has one. Henderson has now joined the dubious club.

“Yeah, it is tough,” he said. “You know, it is a learning lesson for me definitely. It is tough to go out like that, but that is something that we have been harping on all season, just taking care of the ball. So, that is something we have got to continue to work on.”

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TreVeyon Henderson Getting More Comfortable With Patriots

Still, the hope is that Henderson showed enough before the fumble to keep himself in the good graces of coach Mike Vrabel and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. Henderson has had more limited reps than it appeared he’d be getting coming into the year, but he said he has been getting more comfortable nonetheless.

“I have definitely been getting more comfortable this season as well,” Henderson said. “Getting more reps, getting more opportunities, different looks, going up against different players.”

And adjusting to the NFL as a rookie has been a challenge.

“Each level is always going to be an adjustment you have to make,” Henderson said. “High school to college, college to NFL. There are always going to be things you’ve got to adapt to. Game is getting faster, guys are bigger, guys are stronger. So, eventually you get accustomed to it.”

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Patriots’ Rushing Numbers Getting Better

Even with the ups and downs, the Patriots had their best rushing day of the season against a very difficult Browns defense. New England put up 177 yards on the ground, after having gone for 175 yards last week against Tennessee. The Patriots had failed to scratch the 100-yard mark in three of the first six weeks of this season.

For the second straight week, too, some credit for the rushing numbers goes to quarterback Drake Maye, who ran for 50 yards on seven carries.

Said coach Mike Vrabel: “Tough sledding. I think we stayed committed and mixed some interior runs. We hit some outside plays, some perimeter runs. Then obviously the quarterback stuff helps, those numbers. When they pressure and they play man coverage and Drake can do that, that has to be part of who we are.”

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