P.J. Washington could have been speaking for the entire Mavericks’ organization on Monday.
“I’ve never been a part of a season like this,” he said. “(All you can do is) stay positive about it. We’re here in postseason play and a lot of teams don’t even get this opportunity. I tell everybody to make the most of it and see how far we can go. Obviously, we feel like we can make the playoffs and that’s the goal.”
It truly has been “one of those years” for the Mavericks. The injuries hit early, they hit late and they hit hard.
That the season is still going is surprising to some. And it’s certainly a tough road they’ll have to traverse to get to the first round of the playoffs. They must win at Sacramento on Wednesday in the first play-in game. And then they’d have to go to either Memphis or Golden State and win again to earn the No. 8 spot in the Western Conference playoffs.
All that for the right to play Oklahoma City in the first round.
Then again, it’s been a tough road all season so the Mavericks ought to be used to it by now.
And with the regular season done, it’s a good time to take a deep breath and remember that there were some things to be thankful for this season.
Like Klay Thompson playing 72 games.
He was one of only two Mavericks to play at least 70 games (Spencer Dinwiddie played 79, Naji Marshall played 69). For a player who missed 2 ½ seasons earlier this decade, playing 70-plus games for the second season in a row is a commendable achievement.
“It was a goal, but it wasn’t my main goal,” Thompson said Monday about how he approached this season in training camp. “My main goal was to go back to the Finals, and it’s still alive. Yeah, it was a good achievement for me, especially with the injuries I endured. To have that so far in the past now is awesome.”
Indeed, nobody can question Thompson’s durability after this season, when he averaged 14 points and shot 39.1 percent from three-point range.
“My season, individually? I’d give it a B,” he said. “I thought I shot the ball decent, nearly 40 (percent) from three. But I’m really grateful to play in 72 games and be a consistent presence in the lineup. That’s something I can really hang my hat on.”
For Thompson, he’ll be eager to atone for a regrettable appearance in last year’s play-in tournament at the same building where the Mavericks will play Wednesday.
In the 2024 play-in game when he was with Golden State, the Warriors were crushed by the Kings 118-94 and Thompson shot 0-for-10, six of those coming from beyond the arc.
That game and that season are long gone. Thompson has new bridges to cross.
So how’s he approaching the next few days?
“Like I would approach any other postseason game – give it your undivided attention and ultimate effort and live with the results,” he said.
The Mavericks went 0-3 against the Kings this season, but they didn’t have Luka Doncic in the first meeting and didn’t have Anthony Davis in the final two matchups, one of which in February went to overtime.
“They’re a very good team,” Thompson said. “They have great scorers, versatile players. So for us it’s just about sticking to the game plan, playing for one another and trying to limit their transition opportunities and easy looks because when we can get set in the half-court defense, we’re really hard to score on.”
That’s what the Mavericks will bank on in a win-or-go-home situation.
Kidd on Mavs’ warriors: Coach Jason Kidd was asked about the only Mavericks who appeared in more than 65 games this season and he said it was a club that not only was exclusive in this injury-marred year, but also a badge of honor for its members.
“Naji’s been great when you look at what we’ve asked him to do – come off the bench, start,” Kidd said. “Now we’re asking him to be the point guard. He’s one who’s not afraid of the challenge.
“But when you look at the two that have been there, it’s Klay and Spencer, playing over 70 games. Those guys, we have to appreciate. They were there through everything.”
Hard as it is to remember (and believe), Dinwiddie sat out Game No. 1 because of a coach’s decision not to play him.
After that, he played 79 of the last 81 games. He only missed one other game until Game 81 on Friday, when he was given a rest day against Toronto.
And Marshall ended up being a rock for the Mavericks in February, March and April, when teammates were dropping like flies, but Marshall did not miss a single game.
“Naji means (so much) for us,” Kidd said. “He’s one who can score. He’s going to play-make for us and defensively, we’ve asked him to guard everybody, so he’s had a heck of a season.”
And then there’s Thompson.
“Klay has had a really good season for us,” Kidd said. “He played 70 games, if not more, has shot the ball and has been a leader in that locker room through all the things that have taken place and we’re going to need his leadership on Wednesday.”
Briefly: The Mavericks were waiting for word on Brandon Williams, who suffered an oblique injury on Sunday at Memphis. After practice, Kidd said the results of tests still were not available . . . The Mavericks had a zesty practice on Monday and will have another one Tuesday before flying to Sacramento. Asked what the emphasis was on, Kidd said: “Sacramento, just talking about what we want to do on both ends, talked a little personnel and we’ll do that again (Tuesday). And then we’ll fly out after practice and find a way to win on Wednesday.” . . . Washington was asked what he thought of his season and had a positive response. Mostly. “It evolved a lot,” he said. “I’ve been handling the ball more, making decisions a lot more. In the summer, that’s what I want to work on a little more. I think I came a long way. I’m super proud of myself to get here. And I love coming here and working. It’s my dream job.” And was he OK with his 38.1 percent three-point shooting? “Not at all,” he said, pointedly.
X: @ESefko
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