Wizards Lose Against Nets, But Win in Another Way

Washington rests key players, allowing young talent to shine in loss that helps draft position

Feb. 7, 2026 at 6:15pm

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The Washington Wizards went into their matchup against the Brooklyn Nets with only eight players available due to injuries and the Anthony Davis trade. Despite being down by nearly 40 points at one point, the Wizards were able to cut the deficit to 10 by the end, ultimately losing 127-113. However, this loss was actually a good thing for Washington, as it puts them in a better position in the draft lottery.

Why it matters

The Wizards need to finish in the top eight in the draft lottery to secure their pick, which would otherwise go to the New York Knicks. By resting key players, the Wizards were able to lose this game and improve their draft position, which is crucial for the team's long-term success.

The details

In the loss, rookie Will Riley had a career-high 27 points, while Justin Champagnie nearly recorded a double-double with 21 points and 9 rebounds. The Wizards were intentionally tanking, as the Nets had previously sat out seven players against Washington in an earlier matchup.

  • The Wizards went into the game against the Nets on February 7, 2026 with only 8 players available.
  • The Wizards were down by nearly 40 points at one point during the game.

The players

Will Riley

A rookie for the Washington Wizards who had a career-high 27 points in the loss against the Nets.

Justin Champagnie

A valuable player for the Wizards on a cheap contract, he had 21 points and 9 rebounds in the loss.

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What’s next

The Wizards will need to continue resting key players and focusing on developing their young talent in order to secure a top draft pick and improve their long-term prospects.

The takeaway

The Wizards' loss to the Nets, while disappointing in the short term, was a strategic move to improve their draft position and set the team up for future success. By giving their young players more playing time, the Wizards were able to identify promising talent and position themselves for a better draft pick, which could pay dividends down the road.