The Washington Wizards are facing backlash after an April Fools’ Day in-game skit that many fans felt went too far, prompting the team to issue a public apology. A video of the prank can be seen below.
During the performance, a blindfolded fan was brought onto the court for a half-court shot with a chance to win $10,000. After the fan took the shot and missed, the host, mascots, and parts of the crowd celebrated as if he had made it. The fan was even presented with a large ceremonial $10,000 check before being shown video footage revealing that the shot had actually missed.
While the fan ultimately received other prizes, including court-side seats to a future game, the moment quickly drew criticism online, with many saying the joke felt misleading and in poor taste. The reaction was amplified by frustration among fans during a difficult season for the team.
In response, the Wizards released a statement apologizing for the skit, saying it was scripted and intended as an April Fools’ joke. The team added that all participants were in on it, but acknowledged that it “missed the mark” and reaffirmed its commitment to providing a positive experience for fans.
The Wizards made a fan think he won $10,000 in an April Fools prank by pretending he made a blindfolded half court shot 😭 pic.twitter.com/MZEfAiGZKM
— FearBuck (@FearedBuck) April 2, 2026
