The Washington Wizards haven’t had much fun all season sitting on a dismal 17-59 record, the joint-worst in the entire league.
The fans haven’t had a lot to celebrate on home court this season, so the team decided on some April Fools’ Day prank, which backfired and made them apologize the following day.
After leaving fans wondering whether the team had cruelly tricked an unwitting spectator into believing he had just won $10,000 with a blindfolded half-court shot, the Wizards released a statement via social media.
Washington hosted the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night and the result was far from unexpected, as they slipped to their 20th loss in 21 games.
However, during the break, a fan named Jackson came up for a half-court shot and a chance to go home with $10,000. The action was pre-planned involving the team’s mascot and performance crew.
Jackson stepped to half-court blindfolded after two earlier contestants missed their shots. He shot the ball and missed, but he meant to believe that he made the shot and won the cash prize.
Only after the celebration did the Jumbotron replay reveal the airball and it was all one big April Fool’s prank.
Wizards issue statement after prank
Not everyone was convinced that the Wizards joke landed, and criticisms emerged that the organization had gone too far in toying with a fan’s emotions, even on April 1.
The Wizards addressed the backlash head-on.
“We apologize for last night’s April Fools’ joke that left many wondering if we had misled a fan,” the team wrote in a statement posted on its official X page. “The skit involving our mascot and other members of our performance team was scripted and intended to celebrate the day. All participants were in on the joke, but we missed the mark. Our fans are our priority, and we continue to be committed to providing a positive experience to all who attend our games.”
By design, the prank was meant to poke fun at the half-time shot contests that occasionally pay off for lucky fans around the NBA.
Many fans have mocked the need for an apology and believe that due justice will only be done if the fan is awarded the prize money after his hopes were lit up for a second.
Another joke of a season for Washington
The Wizards entered that Wednesday’s matchup with their fate already sealed as they were mathematically eliminated from playoff contention for the fifth consecutive season.
It wasn’t much of a warm feeling at the Capital One Arena, even when the prank played out.
Washington is among the worst this season offensively and defensively and their latest 22-point defeat to the Sixers was in a long line of big margin defeats this season alone.
While the front office insists that they have a long-term plan that is sound, the day-to-day reality for supporters who turn up to home games has been lopsided defeats.
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