The NBA’s Washington Wizards Pulled an April Fools' Prank & Fans Are Furious

If you’re a basketball and NBA fan, you know that going to a game to support your favorite team can be an amazing experience. You may expect to put on some team paraphernalia, grab a couple of drinks and/or snacks from concessions, watch whatever other arena entertainment they have beyond the game, and root for your team to pull out a win. However, what you don’t necessarily expect is to think you won $10,000, and then quickly be told it was all a joke. 

During the Washington Wizards' head-to-head at home against the Philadelphia 76ers on April 1, that’s exactly what happened when a “lucky fan” was told he didn’t win thousands of dollars, all in the name of an April Fools’ Day prank. While the butt of the joke took the prank in stride, social media is roasting the Wizards for it. 

The Washington Wizards’ $10,000 Prank

Again, as part of the halftime entertainment during the Wizards’ home game, a “lucky” fan was invited to participate in a shooting challenge to win $10,000. The catch was that he was blindfolded and was required to make the shot from half-court (a task even Steph Curry would struggle to accomplish). So in front of thousands of fans in the arena, he took the shot, missing the backboard completely. 

Instead of telling the contestant right away, the challenge host and several mascots on the floor celebrated with the contestant, making him believe he made the shot. This guy was understandably thrilled to have won some money, and probably was impressed by his shooting ability. However, the rug was quickly pulled from underneath him when he was shown the instant replay of his shot, and the host informed him he didn’t win, but was just pranked for April Fools’ Day. 

The host claimed to hate pulling the trick on him and was at least nice enough to share that he would be receiving an autograph jersey and courtside seats for next season. For his part, the fan was a great sport about the prank. The same can’t be said for social media users. 

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

The Washington Wizards Get Roasted on Social Media

Maybe it’s because of the rising costs of food, housing, gas, and more, but there were a number of people on social media who saw the prank and didn’t find it that humorous. In fact, the Wizards were roasted in several comments, some even calling out the nerve of the team to pull this joke when they have the worst record in the league. Check out a few posts found on X (formerly Twitter).

This is an insane thing to do to someone who willingly attended a Wizards game

— Exmu (influencer arc) (@exmutradezone) April 2, 2026

Imagine getting trolled by the worst team in the league ???????? pic.twitter.com/0YYF6L1uAi

— ProfessionalYB (@ProfessionalYB) April 2, 2026

There is absolutely nothing funny about this.

— Nat ???? (@NatRichonne) April 2, 2026

This is cruel and just wrong

— DisgruntledMetsFan (@MetsLoyalist) April 2, 2026

The high he must have felt and then the immediate drop off must have been devastating. He’s never gonna forget this moment.

— Faisal Aldosari (@Fai5alAld0sar1) April 2, 2026

people that feel bad for the guy are forgetting he literally throws money in the trash by going to Wizard games

— Olympus (@olympus_dfs) April 2, 2026

Related: 50 Cent Just Agreed that There’s One Rapper He’ll Never Beef With