標籤: apologize

The Washington Wizards found themselves on the defensive after an April Fools’ Day prank during their game against the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday, which drew serious reaction from fans and commentators alike.

In the skit, three contestants attempted to make a shot at half court while blindfolded for a $10,000 prize. The host instructed the crowd to cheer wildly as if the last contestant had succeeded, even if the ball was missed.

The host said, “It wouldn’t be Gee-Wiz’s April Fool’s Mania without a little bit of fun. Not saying they wouldn’t make it, but I think the first two might miss out.” “The last contestant, we’ll pretend the ball went in the basket. So as soon as it hits the ground, go crazy like they just won $10,000.”

Be happy, they did it. Everyone got into a lather, and one fan was cruelly duped into thinking he had won a big cash prize.

The Wizards tricked a fan into thinking he won $10,000 in an April Fools’ prank by pretending to hit a half-court shot while blindfolded 😭 pic.twitter.com/MZEfAiGZKM

– FearedBuck (@FearedBuck) 2 April 2026

Wizards apologizes after viral April Fool’s prank leaves fan thinking he won $10,000

Who in Blue Hell, in the corporate offices, gave the green light to that joke? What a magician you are.

Critics, including former ESPN anchor Jemele Hill, called the targeting of a fan who paid good money to watch one of the NBA’s worst teams “disgusting.” Others called it insulting and tone-deaf, with some comparing the fan’s apparent frustration to a scene from the Batman film.

The reaction was terrible. And Wizards issued an apology, claiming everyone involved was in on the joke.

“We apologize for last night’s April Fools’ joke that left many people wondering if we misled any fans,” the team said. “This play, involving our mascot and other members of our performance team, was scripted and intended to celebrate this day.”

“All participants were in on the joke, but we missed the mark. Our fans are our priority, and we are committed to providing a positive experience for everyone attending our games.”

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Well, that explains why fans were such a good sport about this stupid prank. He apparently also got himself a signed jersey and some courtside seats for next season.

Great. This means he’ll be able to see what many would consider a huge joke – the Wizards – up close and personal.

Rusty Weis is a lifelong fan of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Dallas Cowboys and Xavier Musketeers. He has been writing professionally… More about Rusty Weiss

BOSTON – After the Boston Celtics won Game 3 of the 2024 NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks, it seemed as if they were on the verge of basketball immortality. But, according to ex-Celtic and current San Antonio Spurs center Luke Kornet, Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla did not behave as if this was the case.

Instead, he played down the big win in the locker room and told his players via “The White Noise Podcast” that they weren’t done.

“We won that game in Dallas and went 3-0, which is a really big moment,” Kornett recalled on a podcast run by former teammate and Celtics guard Derrick White. “So, we’re back in the locker room and everybody’s so excited and excited, and Joe came in and said something like, ‘Why are we celebrating? We haven’t really accomplished anything.'”

Kornet, White and the rest of the Celtics were soon reminded of this fact, as the Mavericks beat them in Game 4 during a 122–94 loss in Dallas.

After this disappointing defeat, which Kornet described as the Celtics’ “defeat by a billion”, Mazzulla approached his players with humility.

“At some point after that game, he apologized, acknowledging that he completely dampened the emotion in the room after Game 3 and that going up 3-0 is a very important part of trying to accomplish what we wanted to accomplish,” Cornette said.

The Celtics were excited after going 3–0 in the Finals, but Joe Mazzulla said they had accomplished nothing.

When Boston lost Game 4, he apologized to the team:

“It means a lot to me in terms of being able to recognize that you made a mistake,” Luke Cornett said. pic.twitter.com/ZaT2cXnK20

– Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) 16 March 2026

While Cornette could regale White with many funny, larger-than-life stories about Mazzulla, he said this memory with his former captain was one of his favorite memories.

Cornette said of Mazzulla’s apology, “I think it means a lot to me, in terms of being able to recognize that you made a mistake.” “I think what’s great about Joe is he’s willing to trust the process and the timing of things and the players.”

Mazzulla’s words likely resonated with the rest of the Celtics, too, as they suppressed the Mavericks in Game 5 at TD Garden en route to their first championship in 15 years.

That title established Cornette and White as true winners, and it certainly helped the former ink a four-year, $40.7 million contract with the Spurs last summer.

When asked what he missed most about his reliable, 7-foot center in January, Mazzulla didn’t mention anything basketball-related.

“The biggest thing that stands out about Luke is that I miss going to Mass with him,” Mazzulla said before the Celtics’ 100-95 loss at home to the Spurs. “We used to go to church across the street.”

Joe Mazzulla on Luke Cornette and what he brings to Boston:

“I miss going to prayer meetings with him.” pic.twitter.com/nolWkFsHqx

– Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) 10 January 2026

Although Mazzulla’s bizarre (and often hilarious) quotes make headlines, it is his strong relationships with his players that truly define him. He also explains why he’s in the running for Coach of the Year and explains how the 2025-26 Celtics, who were expected to stumble, are 44-23 heading into Tuesday night’s showdown with the Phoenix Suns.

“It’s funny when people say [Mazzulla’s] “Crazy, and I think he’s the smartest guy I’ve ever met,” Cornette said, laughing.