P.J. WASHINGTON JR. NEWS

Explodes for season-high 43 points Washington recorded 43 points (17-22 FG, 7-9 3Pt, 2-3 FT), two rebounds, three assists and two steals across 36 minutes during Saturday's 134-122 loss to Utah.

Impact Washington was a man on a mission Saturday, going off to the tune of 43 points. Given he had scored more than 20 points only three times all season before Saturday, it's safe to assume this was more of an outlier than what to expect moving forward. He is someone who should be rostered in most formats, at least while the Hornets are without a few key players, but this could also be viewed as a possible sell-high opportunity.

JANUARY 28 • ROTOWIRE

WATCH: P.J. Washington Rockets Postgame Charlotte Hornets forward P.J. Washington spoke with the media following tonight’s loss to Houston.

JANUARY 27 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Productive off bench Wednesday Washington had 12 points (4-6 FG, 4-6 3Pt), six rebounds, five assists, one block and one steal across 28 minutes off the bench during Wednesday's 113-106 loss to the Pistons.

Impact After starting the prior three games with Nick Richards sidelined by an ankle injury, Washington moved back to the second unit and supplied a solid all-around performance. The 25-year-old forward missed three games himself earlier in the month with a foot issue, but since returning he's seen at least 24 minutes in six straight contests regardless of his role, averaging 10.8 points, 5.5 boards, 2.0 threes, 1.8 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.7 blocks while shooting 50.0 percent from the floor and 44.4 percent (12-for-27) from long distance.

JANUARY 25 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to bench Washington isn't in the starting five for Wednesday's game versus the Pistons.

Impact Nick Richards will replace P.J. Washington in the starting lineup Wednesday after missing the previous three games with an ankle injury. Washington is averaging 10.7 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 24.7 minutes across his last 10 appearances coming off the bench.

JANUARY 24 • ROTOWIRE

Moves into starting linueup Washington will start Friday's game against the Spurs.

Impact With Mark Williams (back) and Nick Richards (ankle) sidelined, the Hornets will go small with Miles Bridges and Washington in the frontcourt. Over his previous 13 starts this season, Washington has averaged 14.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.3 steals-plus-blocks in 32.9 minutes per game.

JANUARY 19 • ROTOWIRE

Limited production in return Washington (foot) tallied five points (2-7 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 0-2 FT), six rebounds, one assist and one steal across 28 minutes in Sunday's 104-87 loss to the Heat.

Impact Cleared return to action after a three-game absence due to a right foot sprain, Washington served as the Hornets' top big man off the bench, but he wasn't able to get much going during his time on the court. Washington will likely continue to pick up minutes behind both Miles Bridges and Nick Richards in the frontcourt in the short term, though his path to playing time at center will likely become blocked once Mark Williams (back) makes his return from an extended absence.

JANUARY 15 • ROTOWIRE

Upgraded to available Washington (foot) is available for Sunday's game against Miami.

Impact Surprisingly, Washington has been upgraded from doubtful to available and will make his first appearance since Jan. 5. Given the three-game absence, Washington may face a minute restriction Sunday, but he should still be one of the top forwards off Charlotte's bench. Over his last eight appearances before the injury, Washington averaged 13.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.4 steals in 28.5 minutes per game.

JANUARY 14 • ROTOWIRE

Unlikely to play Sunday Washington (foot) is doubtful for Sunday's game against Miami.

Impact It appears that Washington will sit out a fourth straight game. The Hornets will be very thin in the frontcourt, as Brandon Miller (back) is also doubtful. Guys like Bryce McGowens, JT Thor and Nick Smith could see increased roles Sunday.

JANUARY 13 • ROTOWIRE

Confirmed out Friday Washington (foot) will not play in Friday's game against the Spurs.

Impact No surprises here, as Washington was considered doubtful prior to this update. Washington should be considered questionable at best for Sunday's game against Miami, as he's yet to return to practice.

JANUARY 13 • ROTOWIRE

Unlikely to play Friday Washington (foot) is doubtful for Friday's game against the Spurs.

Impact Washington continues to deal with a right foot sprain and will likely be forced to miss a third consecutive matchup. Assuming he's ruled out once again, Nathan Mensah, Nick Smith and JT Thor are candidates to see increased run.

JANUARY 11 • ROTOWIRE

PJ Washington, Cody Martin Downgraded to Out vs. Kings Tonight’s injury report for Charlotte.

JANUARY 10 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Officially ruled out Washington (foot) won't play in Wednesday's game versus the Kings.

Impact Washington will miss his second straight game Wednesday after being downgraded from doubtful to out with a right foot sprain. Nathan Mensah, Nick Smith and JT Thor are candidates to receive increased minutes in his absence. Washington's next chance to suit up is Friday's matchup with San Antonio.

JANUARY 10 • ROTOWIRE

Doubtful to play Wednesday Washington is listed as doubtful for Wednesday's game against Sacramento

Impact Washington is at risk of missing his second consecutive game due to a right foot sprain. Nick Richards logged a whopping 38 minutes in his absence Monday, while JT Thor and Nick Smith played enlarged roles.

JANUARY 9 • ROTOWIRE

Won't play Monday Washington has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Bulls due to a right foot sprain, Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Impact Washington sprained his right foot Friday against the Bulls and will be unavailable for the rematch a few days later. JT Thor saw increased playing time during Friday's matchup and could see an uptick in usage once again Monday.

JANUARY 7 • ROTOWIRE

PJ Washington Injures Ankle in Loss to Bulls Another day, another injury for the Hornets.

JANUARY 6 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Unlikely to return Washington suffered a right ankle injury during Friday's game against the Bulls and is unlikely to return.

Impact Washington checked out after just six minutes played, finishing scoreless with three rebounds and two assists. Assuming his night is done, the Hornets will likely rely on JT Thor and Nathan Mensah to absorb a handful of minutes off the bench.

JANUARY 6 • ROTOWIRE

Bounces back with 17 points Washington amassed 17 points (7-13 FG, 3-6 3Pt), four rebounds, four assists and one steal over 29 minutes during Tuesday's 111-104 victory over the Kings.

Impact Washington posted a quiet six-point effort and attempted only five field goals Monday in Denver, but he was able to bounce back with a solid performance on the second night of a back-to-back. The fifth-year forward finished with his highest point total over his past four games and made more than half of his shot attempts for the first time during that span. Washington is coming off the bench after beginning the campaign as a starter, but he's continues to be reasonably productive on offense by notching double-digit points in 12 of his 16 games as a reserve.

JANUARY 3 • ROTOWIRE

Oddly unincorporated Washington posted six points (2-5 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 1-1 FT) and six rebounds in 26 minutes during Monday's 111-93 loss to the Nuggets.

Impact Washington logged a normal workload but finished with his second-fewest shots of the season for any game he logged more than five minutes. The 25-year-old was volatile throughout December, but finished with palatable averages of 12.7 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. LaMelo Ball (ankle) returning to health down the stretch of the season could improve Washington's prospectus, but his inability to provide consistent production for an injury-riddled Hornets team is concerning.

JANUARY 2 • ROTOWIRE

Quiet in decisive loss Washington supplied nine points (4-11 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 1-2 FT) and six rebounds across 25 minutes during Thursday's 133-112 loss to the Lakers.

Impact Washington's performance was arguably his worst since Nov. 17 against the Bucks, where he provided only three points, three rebounds and one assist in 26 minutes. Even when Washington struggles shooting the rock, he often uplifts his statline through supplementary stats. Fantasy managers shouldn't worry about one poor performance against a quality Lakers frontcourt of Anthony Davis and Jarred Vanderbilt.

DECEMBER 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Boosts offense off bench in win Washington finished Saturday's 102-95 loss to the Nuggets with 20 points (6-20 FG, 1-7 3Pt, 7-9 FT), eight rebounds, two assists, two blocks and four steals over 28 minutes.

Impact Washington led all bench players in Saturday's contest in points and rebounds while notching a team-best steals mark and ending two boards short of a double-double. Washington has tallied 20 or more points in five games this season, hauling in eight or more boards in five outings. He has recorded at least four steals in two of his last three games.

DECEMBER 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Not starting Wednesday Washington won't start Wednesday's game against the Pacers, Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star reports.

Impact With Charlotte shorthanded, Washington drew a start Monday but will return to a reserve role Wednesday. Either way, his total minutes should change much, as he's averaged 29.1 minutes as a reserve (eight games) and 32.9 minutes as a starter (13 games) this season -- excluding the game he left due to injury.

DECEMBER 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Fills stat sheet Washington had 15 points (5-16 FG, 3-9 3Pt, 2-2 FT), seven rebounds, five assists and four steals in 39 minutes during Monday's 114-99 loss to the Raptors.

Impact Washington had missed back-to-back games coming into Monday due to a shoulder issue, but he looked spry against the Raptors and put together one of his best displays of the season. Miles Bridges was denied entry into Toronto for Monday's game due to legal reasons, so Washington took advantage of the increased usage and minutes. Bridges should be back for Wednesday against the Pacers, while Gordon Hayward's (illness) status is in the air.

DECEMBER 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Officially cleared Washington (shoulder) is available for Monday's game in Toronto.

Impact As expected, Washington has been upgraded from questionable to available and will suit up after missing back-to-back games due to a shoulder injury. With Miles Bridges (not injury related), Nathan Mensah (personal) and Mark Williams (back) all out, Washington should play 30-plus minutes against Toronto.

DECEMBER 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Expected to play Washington (shoulder), who's officially listed as questionable, is expected to play in Monday's game in Toronto, Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Impact With Miles Bridges (not injury related) and Nathan Mensah (personal) out and Mark Williams (back) doubtful, Washington's presence will be vital to Charlotte's frontcourt. Washington has missed the past two games due to a shoulder injury, but he was playing well before that, averaging 12.4 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.0 steals in 29.3 minutes per game over his previous seven appearances.

DECEMBER 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable for Monday Washington (shoulder) is questionable for Monday's game against Toronto.

Impact Washington has missed the last two games due to a shoulder injury, and it's unclear whether he'll be able to return to action Monday. If he's unavailable, JT Thor and Nick Richards are candidates to see increased run.

DECEMBER 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE