It was a tough week for the Mavs and the Warriors. That’s because their dream of lifting the NBA Cup was shattered after they were eliminated in the quarter-final on back-to-back nights. As expected, both teams are looking for redemption and will face each other tonight. Fortunately for the Dallas side, they will get an extra boost for the road encounter because PJ Washington is set to make a return following a brief hiatus.

After missing Tuesday’s game because of an illness, the star forward is pumped to get back on the court tonight. PJ said ahead of his return via Grant Afseth, “Obviously, I wasn’t feeling good, so I’m just happy to be feeling better and back with the guys.”

Of course, this is great news for the Mavs, as PJ has been solid for them, averaging 12.7 points and over 8 rebounds. He is likely to retake his spot in the starting lineup from Quentin Grimes. Unfortunately, the Mavs will also miss some key players because of injury woes. Jaden Hardy (ankle), Brandon Williams (thumb), and Naji Marshall (illness) have all been ruled out. Meanwhile, Dante Exum is still recovering from his right wrist surgery. Even Maxi Kleber is likely to remain out after being diagnosed with a fractured rib.

For the Warriors, Stephen Curry is questionable with a right cervical facet inflammation. He scored 19 points in the elimination game against the Rockets and the Warriors will definitely struggle on offense if he does not suit up tomorrow. Adding to the concerns, Andrew Wiggins (ankle) is also questionable even though he participated in Saturday’s practice. And Moses Moody will miss his second straight game with a left knee injury.

Mavericks and Warriors’ Depth Chart

With PJ Washington returning, this is what the Mavs’ depth chart looks like:

Well, PJ is likely to play as the starting forward while Quentin Grimes moves back to the bench as a backup. But with Naji out, Grimes could get significant playing time off the bench. Meanwhile, the Warriors’ depth chart will depend a lot on Steph’s final status:

Although they have reportedly finalized a trade to acquire Dennis Schroder, the deal cannot be completed because De’Anthony Melton is trade-ineligible until Sunday. Therefore, the now-Brooklyn star will not make his Warriors’ debut tonight, and the Bay Area team is likely targeting it in the next game against the Grizzlies.

Well, the last time these two sides met, there were a lot of emotions involved, as it was Klay Thompson’s first game back in the Bay Area after moving to Dallas. And the Warriors came out on top with a three-point win. While they will look to extend their winning streak, the Mavs will try to even the season series with the help of a returning PJ Washington. Who’s your pick?