P.J. Washington landed on the Mavericks' first injury report of the 2026-27 season on Friday, listed day-to-day with a left ankle issue. His status for Dallas's opener against the Rockets is not yet settled, even as he is considered for a starting spot.
What happened
Washington appeared on the Mavericks' injury report Friday, Oct. 9 at 8:19 a.m. ET, listed day-to-day with a left ankle issue, logged on the report as ankle and leg. He had no previous status listed, making this the first mention of the issue this season. Mike Curtis of the Dallas Morning News reports Washington is being considered for a spot in Dallas's starting lineup. The report lists an expected return date of Oct. 11. No further detail on how the issue developed is listed.
What it means for the Mavericks
Dallas opens its season against the Rockets on Friday, Oct. 9, a game on NBA TV. Washington averaged 31.0 minutes last season, with 14.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists across 56 games in 2025-26. In games without him, the minutes have gone to Cooper Flagg (33.5 min, 21.0 pts), Anthony Davis (31.3 min, 20.4 pts), Naji Marshall (29.5 min, 15.2 pts) and Max Christie (29.1 min, 12.3 pts). The Mavericks have not played a regular-season game yet in 2026-27, so there is no record with or without him this year.
What to watch
The Mavericks have not announced a return beyond the Oct. 11 date listed on the injury report. Expect an updated status closer to tipoff against the Rockets on Friday, Oct. 9, and another report ahead of Dallas's following game. No games beyond the opener are referenced yet this season.
Is P.J. Washington playing against the Rockets?
He is day-to-day with a left ankle issue and has not been ruled out. Mike Curtis of the Dallas Morning News reports Washington is in the mix for a starting spot, but the injury report lists an expected return date of Oct. 11, two days after the Rockets game.
When will P.J. Washington be back?
The injury report lists an expected return date of Oct. 11, 2026. The Mavericks have not announced further details.