The Wizards Pulled an April Fools' Prank and Had to Apologize. Here's What Went Down.
The Washington Wizards thought they were being clever with an April Fools' Day bit during their game against Philadelphia on Wednesday. Turns out, not everyone found it funny. The team is now apologizing for the stunt, saying the whole thing was scripted but acknowledging they "missed the mark."
What Actually Happened
During a timeout in the Wizards' 153-131 loss to the 76ers, a fan was brought onto the court to attempt a blindfolded half-court shot for $10,000. The shot missed badly, flying wildly over the backboard. But here's where the prank kicked in: mascots rushed the court to celebrate anyway, presenting the guy with an oversized $10,000 check before revealing how badly he'd actually missed. The on-court presenter even told him, "I'm not going to lie, sir: I really, really hate April Fools' Day."
🎲 Want to Make Tonight's Game More Interesting?
Kalshi lets you trade on real sports outcomes — not just spreads. It's the only federally regulated prediction market in the US, and it's available right here in Washington state.
New users get a FREE $10 just for signing up — no deposit required to claim it.
👉 Claim Your Free $10 at KalshiThe Backlash and the Apology
Before the Wizards could fully explain the bit was fake, social media lit up with criticism. Fans weren't thrilled about the team seemingly misleading someone who paid to be there, especially considering how rough this season has been for Washington. The Wizards are on pace to miss the playoffs for the fifth straight year and came into that game on a four-game losing streak. They've also lost 20 of their past 21 games, so the timing of a prank felt tone-deaf to some.
In a statement Thursday, the Wizards said the skit involved their mascot and performance team members, all of whom were in on the joke. "We apologize for last night's April Fools' joke that left many wondering if we had misled a fan," the team wrote. "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."
They wrapped it up by saying, "Our fans are our priority, and we continue to be committed to providing a positive experience to all who attend our games."
🐦 What fans are saying on X
See the latest reactions and highlights from Seattle fans about April Fools.
View X conversation →This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.