NBA FINALS: CELTICS VS. MAVERICKS

June 16, 2024

P.J. Washington Jr.

Dallas Mavericks

Practice Day

Q. What do you bring into Game 5 from Game 4?

P.J. WASHINGTON JR.: It was a lot of fun. I felt like we played free. We got out in transition and played great defense. I think the energy was transformed here into Boston and everybody is in a great mood.

Q. What's it going to take?

P.J. WASHINGTON JR.: Everything. Just come out and play free, play together and just play like we have nothing to lose.

Q. What do you feel like you guys figured out, you personally?

P.J. WASHINGTON JR.: Just being aggressive and taking open shots, and our teammates have confidence in us. That always helps. Just being able to step up and make a shot and just being aggressive in everything that we do. We know it's going to take all of us. So that's just our mentality going forward.

Q. What did you figure out about their defense? Did something click there?

P.J. WASHINGTON JR.: Just taking open shots with confidence. That's all it was for us. I feel like Ky and Luka did a great job early in the game getting downhill and getting into the paint. That kind of opened up everything for us after that.

Q. You mentioned open shots and knocking those down and shooting with confidence. Does it add pressure? What was it about the confidence that was giving you guys trouble that turned it around the last game?

P.J. WASHINGTON JR.: I think we were in our heads. Those were shots we've been getting all year and taking them with confidence. We just have to continue to do that. Those guys are putting us in great positions to be successful, so we just have to step up to the plate and take them with confidence.