{"id":694471,"date":"2026-04-02T19:20:29","date_gmt":"2026-04-02T19:20:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/694471\/"},"modified":"2026-04-02T19:20:29","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T19:20:29","slug":"washington-wizards-forced-to-apologize-after-brutal-april-fools-prank","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/694471\/","title":{"rendered":"Washington Wizards Forced to Apologize After Brutal April Fool’s Prank"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Washington Wizards<\/a> found themselves on the defensive Thursday after a halftime April Fools\u2019 Day prank during their game against the Philadelphia 76ers<\/a> drew serious backlash from fans and commentators alike.<\/p>\n

In the skit, three contestants attempted blindfolded half-court shots for a $10,000 prize. The host instructed the crowd to cheer wildly as if the final contestant had succeeded, even if the ball missed.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt wouldn\u2019t be G-Wiz\u2019s April Fools Frenzy without playing a little prank. Not to say that they won\u2019t make it, but I\u2019m guessing the first two may miss,\u201d the host said. \u201cThe last contestant, we\u2019re gonna pretend that the ball went in the basket. So as soon as it hits the ground, go crazy wild like they just won $10,000.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cheer, they did. Everyone got worked into a lather, and one fan was seemingly cruelly tricked into thinking he\u2019d won the big cash prize.<\/p>\n

The Wizards made a fan think he won $10,000 in an April Fools prank by pretending he made a blindfolded half court shot \ud83d\ude2d pic.twitter.com\/MZEfAiGZKM<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 FearBuck (@FearedBuck) April 2, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n

Wizards Issue Apology After Viral April Fools\u2019 Prank Tricks Fan Into Thinking He Won $10,000<\/p>\n

Who, in the Blue Hell, up in the corporate offices, gave a green light to that joke? How completely Wizard of you.<\/p>\n

Critics, including former ESPN anchor Jemele Hill, called the bit \u201cunhinged\u201d for targeting a fan who had paid good money to watch one of the NBA\u2019s worst teams. Others labeled it disrespectful and tone-deaf, with some comparing the fan\u2019s apparent disappointment to a scene from a Batman movie.<\/p>\n

The backlash was fierce. And the Wizards issued an apology, claiming everyone involved was in on the joke.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe apologize for last night\u2019s April Fools\u2019 joke that left many wondering if we had misled a fan,\u201d\u00a0the team said.\u00a0\u201cThe skit involving our mascot and other members of our performance team was scripted and intended to celebrate the day.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

READ MORE:<\/p>\n

Okay, so that explains why the fan was such a good sport about the whole stupid prank. He also apparently got himself an autographed jersey and some courtside seats for next season.<\/p>\n

Great. That means he\u2019ll be able to watch what many would consider a much bigger joke\u2014the Wizards\u2014up close and personal.<\/p>\n

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\t\tRusty Weiss is a lifelong Los Angeles Dodgers, Dallas Cowboys, and Xavier Musketeers fan. He has been writing professionally … More about Rusty Weiss<\/a><\/p>\n

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