The Washington Wizards found a new way to torment their dwindling fan base during Wednesday’s blowout loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. Down big, the franchise orchestrated an April Fools’ stunt that apparently left one loyal fan holding a fake check, sparking widespread social media outrage. On Thursday, the team had to provide clarification to address the backlash.
Washington Wizards Apologize After April Fools’ Prank Backfires
The Wizards blindfolded a fan named Jackson at halftime Wednesday night, pointed him toward a half-court shot, and promised him $10,000 if he made it. He missed badly. The ball sailed past the backboard and landed somewhere near the concourse.
But Jackson didn’t know that because he couldn’t see, and the Wizards decided that was the perfect setup for an April Fools’ Day gag.
The team hid the ball. Mascots rushed the court. The PA announcer declared Jackson a winner.
Someone handed him a giant novelty check while the crowd, fully in on the bit, erupted.
For roughly a minute, Jackson believed he had just won 10 grand. Then host Britt Waters cued up the Jumbotron replay, and Jackson watched his airball in front of 20,000 strangers.
The mascots snatched back the check. April Fools.
The video went viral within hours, but not in the way the Wizards’ marketing team probably hoped. Fans on X torched the organization for humiliating one of the few people still willing to pay money to watch them lose.
Becky Quick hit out, writing, “This is just mean. They suck.”
Jim Park stated, “They need to cancel this April Fools crap forever.”
CUNY Presidential Professor Marc Lamont Hill put how badly it fell on the Wizards, writing, “This isn’t funny. It’s cruel.”
Taking a dig at the Wizards’ disastrous season, PrizePicks wrote, “dude more of a winner than the wizards in their own building.”
Washington’s consolation prize for Jackson made the optics worse. The team gave him autographed jerseys and courtside tickets for next season. That’s a nice gesture, but it’s not $10,000, and it’s also not exactly a hot commodity when you’re watching the worst team in the Eastern Conference.
The Wizards lost to the 76ers 153-131 that same night, their 59th defeat of the season with six games left. They’re on pace for a third straight year with 60-plus losses.
Highlighting that reality, Jemele Hill wrote, “To do this to a fan that chose to come see a 17-win team is unhinged.”
Amid all this, the franchise revealed on X on Thursday that the entire incident was “scripted” and “intended to celebrate the day.” However, they admitted that they “missed the mark” and issued a straight-faced apology for all the confusion.
Statement on last night’s April Fool’s joke. pic.twitter.com/Co3GPjrOhl
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) April 2, 2026
The prank landed particularly poorly because it came from an organization that seems allergic to giving its fans good news. Washington swung big at the trade deadline, acquiring Trae Young from Atlanta in January and Anthony Davis in a trade with Dallas in February.
Neither move translated to wins. Both arrived injured; Young has played only sparingly, and Davis hasn’t played at all for the Wizards. The Wizards were eliminated from playoff contention for the fifth consecutive season in mid-March.
The lottery is the team’s only remaining source of hope. Washington owns one of the worst records in the league, which should result in a high lottery pick and a chance at generational talent. But with how this season has gone, Wizards fans are right to be skeptical of anything resembling good luck.
