Shai Gilgeous-Alexander can’t explain the dominance of the Thunder’s PJ Washington

Before Thursday night’s home game vs Dallas Mavericks, Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault downplayed the rivalry the narrative surrounding both franchises. That will be even easier to do after OKC’s 121-115 loss, their third loss to the 2024 Western Conference champions this season.

The Mavs’ continued success against the Thunder coincides with Heroism of PJ Washington against a dominant team. The former Kentucky Wildcats star scored 22 points on just 6-of-16 shooting, but left an indelible mark at the Pike Center after securing 19 rebounds, three steals and two blocks. He also played solid defense down the stretch, rounding out a complete effort.

Before last Friday, Oklahoma City had not lost a second straight game this season. Dallas has now broken that record on two separate occasions. Injuries have affected both teams through four games into the 2024-25 season, but Washington’s excellence against the Thunder has been fairly consistent. In fact, OKC’s only win over the Mavericks of the campaign came on a night the forward was sick.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the company knows they’ll be better equipped to take on Dallas from within once Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein return to action, but removing this thorn in their side could still be a challenge. Washington’s increased productivity over the West-leading Thunder is hard to explain. Even Gilgeous-Alexander takes pains to clarify a number of notable performances.

“I don’t know, I don’t know,” the MVP favorite told reporters, per Clemente Almansa of the OKC Thunder Wire, after scoring 31 points and dishing out seven assists. “I guess he’s getting up for it.” I don’t know.”

When will the Thunder defeat this form of adversity?

Washington has been a solid contributor, averaging 13.5 points, 7.8 points and 1.2 steals per game this season, but shifts into a different gear when facing Oklahoma City. He has hurt this team since his tenure with the Charlotte Hornets. Daigneault must devise a strategy to neutralize him in future matchups as the Thunder look to avenge last year’s bitter finish.

They are not the same group that fell in six games in the Western Conference semifinals. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the true headliner, but OKC features depth, defensive tenacity, intoxicating chemistry and incredible vibes. The franchise is determined to produce its best season yet, and to accomplish that ambitious feat, it must learn from its past shortcomings.

If the Mavericks are healthy in time- Luka Dončić remains out of the field with calf strain and Derek Lively II suffered a broken foot— could be in for a far more demanding postseason rematch. Although, just in case there is a problem, it might be a good idea for the Thunder to consider implementing the “PJ Washington Rule.”