“Always Got to Protect 77 at All Costs”- PJ Washington Opens Up About Clash With Russell Westbrook and LA Clippers

The third game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday began tensely, and it was only a matter of time before things heated up. This happened midway through the fourth quarter of Dallas’ 101-90 victory when Mavericks player PJ Washington and Clippers guard Russell Westbrook were both ejected for Westbrook’s brutal foul on Luka Doncic. 

The altercation occurred during Dallas’ 101-90 victory in Game 3. Westbrook switched to Luka Doncic, the guard. Doncic received the ball back after the Mavericks grabbed an offensive rebound. When Westbrook and Doncic locked up, Dallas’ sharpshooter moved into the lane.

PJ Washington on the scuffle with Russell Westbrook & the Los Angeles Clippers:

“Always got to protect 77 (Luka Doncic) at all costs.” 💪

Why’d Washington hold the pose? Terance Mann “was mad” due to Washington’s constant gazing at LA’s bench. In response, “I decided to look… pic.twitter.com/3O9YaDAwgm

— Courtside Buzz (@CourtsideBuzzX) April 27, 2024

Westbrook appealed to get called for a foul. When Doncic sought to argue with Russell Westbrook, the seasoned NBA player shoved him in the forearm. Following Washington’s intervention and assault on Westbrook, the Clippers player shoved back.

Washington opened up about the incident during an interview after the game, stating that his main goal is to protect Luka Doncic.

“Always got to protect 77 at all costs, So I mean, obviously it was a hard foul, and then he pushed him afterward, so I was right there, and I just had to step into it.” PJ Washington said after the game during an interview.

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PJ Washington was removed from the game after scoring only ten points

Clippers coach Tyronn Lue also opened up about the incident, saying that he likes these kinds of incidents, but the team has to prevent fouls.

“We’ve got to channel our aggression in other ways, It’s getting chippy. I like the physicality. I like the tough possessions. I like all of that. But we’ve got to make sure we’re not getting the technical fouls, we’re not getting thrown out of the game, because everybody’s important.” Tyronn Lue said.

Doncic scored 22 points but struggled with his shooting. Irving, on the other hand, scored 21 points. Washington was removed from the game after scoring only ten points. The Mavericks aim to take a commanding 3-1 lead in the series during Game 4 on Sunday. Westbrook’s availability for the game is uncertain.

Also Read: PJ Washington and Jalen Duren Got Into a Brawl in Mavs vs. Pistons Game