Wizards' Late Comeback Falls Short in Tank Battle with Nets

Short-handed Washington erases 17-point deficit before Brooklyn pulls away late

Apr. 5, 2026 at 11:26pm

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In a late-season matchup between two teams committed to losing, the Washington Wizards erased a 17-point first-quarter deficit and briefly took the lead in the fourth quarter before the Brooklyn Nets closed the game on a 20-10 run to secure the victory. Despite having just eight players available, the Wizards were led by a 30-point performance from Will Riley, while JuJu Reese grabbed 16 rebounds in 44 minutes of action.

Why it matters

This game highlighted the Wizards' and Nets' shared focus on securing a high draft pick, with both teams resting key players and prioritizing the tank over winning. While the Wizards' comeback attempt was entertaining, the final result ultimately served the long-term interests of both franchises as they look to rebuild through the draft.

The details

The Wizards had just eight players available for the game, yet head coach Brian Keefe barely played Sharife Cooper and Jaden Hardy. Despite the short-handed roster, the Wizards erased a 17-point first-quarter deficit and briefly took the lead in the fourth quarter before the Nets closed the game on a 20-10 run. Will Riley led the Wizards with 30 points, while JuJu Reese grabbed 16 rebounds in 44 minutes of action.

  • The Wizards and Nets faced off on April 5, 2026 in a late-season matchup.

The players

Will Riley

A Wizards player who led the team with 30 points in the game.

JuJu Reese

A Wizards player who grabbed 16 rebounds in 44 minutes of action.

Nolan Traore

A Nets player who showcased his speed and developing shooting ability.

Chaney Johnson

A Nets player who provided some energy and oomph to the team's performance.

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What they’re saying

“Gotta admit: when I saw the lineups for this Wizards at Nets game, I set aside the notepad. There were two key numbers that jumped out at me before the game began.”

— Kevin Broom, Author

The takeaway

This game highlighted the Wizards' and Nets' shared focus on securing a high draft pick, with both teams resting key players and prioritizing the tank over winning. While the Wizards' comeback attempt was entertaining, the final result ultimately served the long-term interests of both franchises as they look to rebuild through the draft.