Coach Jason Kidd credited PJ Washington for keeping Cade Cunningham guarded as the Dallas Mavericks halted their four-game losing streak against the Detroit Pistons.

The Mavs had slid to 34-36, good enough for just the 11th-best record in the Western Conference, amid a crippling run of injuries.

Kyrie Irving, Dereck Lively II, Daniel Gafford and Anthony Davis – who has only played half a game since arriving in the Luka Doncic trade with the Los Angeles Lakers last month – are all out for last season's losing NBA finalists.

But despite those absences, Dallas overcame the Pistons by a 123-117 scoreline on Friday, helped by 31 points from Spencer Dinwiddie and 27 from Washington.

Washington also had a season-high five of eight three-pointers, though Kidd was most impressed by his two-way impact.

Detroit star Cunningham had a game-high 35 points on 15-for-30 shooting, and the Dallas coach felt he could have had more if not for the defensive efforts of Washington.

Full team effort tonight #MFFL pic.twitter.com/OHOlfsEzHq

— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) March 22, 2025

"I thought he did a really good job on Cunningham early. I thought PJ was really, really good," Kidd said. 

"He had a spell there where he had a couple of turnovers, but then he made a big three. It's just about understanding the next play mentality.

"He's been great. We're going to need him to continue to keep playing at the level that he's playing at right now."

Washington, though, was frustrated with the nine turnovers he committed – only two fewer than the rest of his team-mates had combined.

"I'm kind of p***** off at myself," Washington told reporters. "These nine turnovers, that's terrible. I've got to be better. I wanted to just let you all know that."

The Mavs, whose victory was just their second in their past 11 games, embark on a four-game road stretch – starting on Sunday, when they visit the Brooklyn Nets.