PJ Washington stats: How has the Charlotte Hornets player fared in the 5 major statistical categories this season?
Let's take a look at forward PJ Washington and the season he's having with the Charlotte Hornets. The team has been abysmal so far, but Washington is still putting up numbers. He hasn't elevated himself to a level worth noticing but hasn't been a liability like he was last season.
The Hornets were eliminated in the play-in tournament in the last two seasons. Charlotte fans argue till this day that they would have made the playoffs had their team not had to deal with injuries. The team has been the tenth seed for four of the last five years, and the introduction of the play-in tournament gave them motivation the last two seasons. The Hornets need to make some moves or else they will continue to languish in mediocrity.
PJ Washington's career hasn't gone according to plan. He was the 12th pick in 2019 and hasn't been anywhere near his peers who were selected in the first-round. Let's take a look at his stats this season.
Breaking down PJ Washington's 2022-23 NBA season
PJ Washington largely came off the bench last season but has started every game this year. He has been an iron man for the team while other players like LaMelo Ball and Gordon Hayward have gone in and out of the lineup. He has missed just one game this season and played in 53, averaging nearly 33 minutes per game.
He averaged 10.3 points per game last season coming off the bench and has improved his scoring to 14.7 points per game this year. However, he's struggling with efficiency. He's shooting career lows from the field, 3-point line and the free-throw line on higher attempts.
After averaging 4.7 3-point attempts per game for the first three seasons of his career on 37.5% shooting, he's now attempting nearly six threes a game at a 34% clip.
Out of the top 50 players to make the most 3s this season, here are the least efficient shooters
Trae Young 32.1%
Jordan Poole 32.4%
Jalen Green 33.1%
Kyle Kuzma 33.2%
Terry Rozier 33.3%
Jaylen Brown 33.4%
Keldon Johnson 33.5%
PJ Washington 34.0%
Why are they shooting 3s?
PJ Washington's numbers in other statistical categories have been fairly consistent, which isn't necessarily a good thing. Consistency is key, but when a starter is getting more minutes and shot attempts, their numbers are supposed to go up and not remain the same.
He's averaging one block and 0.9 steals per game, which is exactly his career average. Washington is averaging 2.4 assists per game this season, while his career average is 2.3. He averaged one block, 0.9 steals and 2.3 assists last season too, while coming off the bench. So his numbers should have improved after starting this season.
In fact, starting instead of coming off the bench hasn't helped his rebounding either. Although he's 6' 7", he plays the power forward and center position, and his rebounding has taken a dip. He averaged over five boards in his first three seasons and 6.5 as a sophomore but is averaging just 4.5 rebounds this year.
"Learn the fundamentals of basketball."
George Lynch goes on one with @PJWashington to discuss his game and his path to the NBA!
@hornets | #LetsFly https://t.co/RePfhDtGzm
PJ Washington hasn't deteriorated but hasn't been the player we expected him to be either. He certainly needs to elevate his game if he expects a bigger contract from the Charlotte Hornets.