Cavaliers Rest Starters, Wizards Capitalize in Narrow Loss

Washington nearly pulls off upset against Cleveland's reserves in season finale

Apr. 11, 2026 at 8:19pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fragmented, geometric painting in the style of Pablo Picasso, depicting the motion and competition of a basketball game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Washington Wizards, with the players' forms broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color and shape.An abstract, cubist-inspired illustration captures the energy and tension of the Cavaliers-Wizards season finale, where Cleveland's reserves held off a late Washington surge.Cleveland Today

In the final game of the NBA regular season, the Washington Wizards put up a strong fight against the Cleveland Cavaliers, who rested their key starters with the fourth seed already locked up. Despite the Cavaliers' backups taking the court, the Wizards were unable to pull off the upset, falling just short in a narrow loss.

Why it matters

This game highlighted the Wizards' struggles throughout the season, as they finished with one of the worst records in the league. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers' decision to rest their stars provided an opportunity for their bench players to get valuable playing time ahead of the playoffs.

The details

The Wizards, who have lost 68 of their last 87 games, were led by Alex Sarr's 16.3 points and 7.4 rebounds per game, as well as 14.8 points and 4.5 assists from Kyshawn George. However, the Cavaliers' depth proved too much, with Donovan Mitchell and James Harden combining for 48 points despite not playing their usual minutes.

  • The game took place on April 12, 2026 at 6:00 pm EDT.
  • The Cavaliers have won 14 of their last 20 games heading into the season finale.

The players

Donovan Mitchell

All-Star guard for the Cleveland Cavaliers, averaging 27.7 points and 5.7 assists per game this season.

James Harden

Veteran guard for the Cleveland Cavaliers, averaging 20.4 points and 8 assists per game this season.

Alex Sarr

Forward for the Washington Wizards, averaging 16.3 points and 7.4 rebounds per game this season.

Kyshawn George

Guard for the Washington Wizards, averaging 14.8 points and 4.5 assists per game this season.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We knew the Cavaliers would be resting their starters, so we had to take advantage of that opportunity. Unfortunately, their bench players stepped up and we just couldn't quite get over the hump.”

— Alex Sarr, Forward, Washington Wizards

“It was great to get some extra minutes for our younger guys and see them compete. They showed a lot of heart out there, and that's exactly what we want to see heading into the playoffs.”

— J.B. Bickerstaff, Head Coach, Cleveland Cavaliers

What’s next

The Cavaliers will now turn their attention to the playoffs, where they will look to make a deep run after securing the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference. The Wizards, on the other hand, will head into the offseason with the goal of rebuilding and improving their roster for next season.

The takeaway

This game exemplified the Cavaliers' depth and the Wizards' struggles this season. While the Cavaliers were able to rest their starters and still secure the victory, the Wizards' inability to capitalize on the opportunity highlights the work they have ahead to become a more competitive team in the Eastern Conference.