Wizards apologize after fan backlash over half-court prank, say skit 'intended to celebrate' April Fools Day

The Washington Wizards’ forgettable 2025-26 play drew attraction crossed the NBA connected Wednesday nighttime — but not for their latest on-court struggles.

Instead, the team’s April Fools’ effort was an airball. The Wizards, who entered Wednesday’s crippled against the Philadelphia 76ers with the NBA’s worst record, had a instrumentality effort a blindfolded halfcourt changeable for an evident currency prize.

The fan’s changeable yet fell good abbreviated of the net. But for a little moment, the fan, on with the in-arena announcers and mascots, celebrated what they thought was a win.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

A wide presumption of the Wilson hoops connected the tribunal during the 2nd fractional of the crippled betwixt the Washington Wizards and the Philadelphia 76ers astatine Capital One Arena connected Oct. 28, 2025. (Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

"Somebody's rich!," the in-arena big said. "The mascots are going crazy, the contestant is going crazy, the assemblage is going crazy."

2025-26 NBA TITLE ODDS: THUNDER FAVORED; CAN NUGGETS TRULY CONTEND?

The instrumentality aboriginal saw connected the jumbotron replay that the changeable missed, arsenic the Wizards admitted the misdirection was portion of an April Fools’ Day prank.

A wide presumption arsenic fans clasp signs during the 2nd fractional of the crippled betwixt the Washington Wizards and the Los Angeles Clippers astatine Capital One Arena connected Jan. 19, 2026 successful Washington, DC. (Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

"You didn't spot it, we each saw it. You privation to spot it?" the big continued arsenic the instrumentality held up the oversized presumption check. "Alright, instrumentality a look astatine the surface for the replay."

https://x.com/FearedBuck/status/2039577400418123807

The squad gave the instrumentality an autographed jersey and courtside seats to a aboriginal crippled arsenic a consolation prize. Amid backlash Thursday, the Wizards admitted they "missed the mark" successful an apology for the scripted April Fools’ stunt.

https://x.com/BrettSiegelNBA/status/2039743584081977482

"We apologize for past night's April Fools' gag that near galore wondering if we had misled the fan. The skit involving our mascot and different members of our show squad was scripted and intended to observe the day. All participants were successful connected the joke, but we missed the mark. Our fans are our priority, and we proceed to beryllium committed to providing a affirmative acquisition to each who be our games."

Washington Wizards defender Tre Johnson (12) shoots the shot implicit Philadelphia 76ers halfway Andre Drummond (1) successful the 2nd fractional astatine Capital One Arena connected April 1, 2026; successful Washington, District of Columbia. (Geoff Burke/Imagn Images)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

As for Wednesday’s NBA action, Washington came up abbreviated again, dropping its 4th consecutive game. The 153-131 nonaccomplishment helped the 76ers clasp the No. 6 effect successful the Eastern Conference arsenic the playoffs near.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports sum connected X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.