PJ Washington had his moment in Game 3, but it was Paul George’s turn in Game 4.
Washington went viral during the Dallas Mavericks’ victory over the LA Clippers in Friday’s Game 3. Amid a brief second-half skirmish between the two teams, Washington trolled the Clippers’ bench by staring at them with his arms folded.
PJ Washington had me in literal tears man 😭 pic.twitter.com/iDmiKWt5ZJ
— Kyrie Center (@kyriecenterig) April 27, 2024
The image of a stoic Washington seemingly unbothered by everything going on around him quickly made its way into Internet lore. Luka Doncic even posted the viral photo to his Instagram Story after the game.
Luka really posted this on his IG story 😭 pic.twitter.com/k6qAGP1Mp5
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) April 27, 2024
In Sunday’s Game 4 though, Washington got hit with the Uno reverse card. The Clippers star George had an enormous first half, pouring in 26 points to help the Clippers race out to a huge lead (getting as large as 31 at one point). After one particularly ruthless three with Washington in his vicinity, George coldly hit Washington’s pose from the previous game.
PAUL GEORGE HIT THEM WITH THE PJ WASHINGTON POSE 😭 pic.twitter.com/VHYpgIKzXF
— Beastbrook (@Beastbr00k0) April 28, 2024
Paul George did the PJ Washington pose after hitting a shot over him LMFAO pic.twitter.com/Di7zI7BZB9
— ᴅ ʀ ᴇ ᴡ (@FeelLikeDrew) April 28, 2024
Granted, the Clippers nearly blew it in the end. Dallas came storming back from the 31-point hole to take a brief 105-104 lead (which would have tied the largest comeback in NBA playoff history). But George, with some help from star teammate James Harden, lifted the Clippers to victory in the final minutes. He even hit an especially difficult corner triple with 1:55 remaining to swing the pendulum back in his team’s favor.
PAUL GEORGE. 🔥🔥
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) April 28, 2024
Because they still held on for the win, George and the Clippers ultimately got to enjoy the elite troll job on Washington. Yes, Kawhi Leonard’s status (right knee inflammation) seems completely up in the air for the remainder of the series. But George has done it in the playoffs without Leonard before and got back to it with a much-needed masterclass against Dallas on Sunday, evening the series at 2-2.
