Before today, the Washington Wizards and Utah Jazz were tied for the worst record in the NBA. Even earlier, many were concerned that the Jazz may have messed up when Kyle Filipowski's historic statline tied them with the Wizards for the worst record in the NBA.
That was a worry for a bit, but the Wizards may have just put that worry to bed in their season finale against the Miami Heat.
🗣️ BUB 🗣️ CARRINGTON!!!!! https://t.co/fEnyZhm1iK pic.twitter.com/WRj1oj6fCc
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) April 13, 2025
Their win puts them half a game above the Jazz for the second-worst record in the league. If the Jazz lose to the Minnesota Timberwolves, who have everything to play for as they could get out of the play-in if they win, that gets them the worst record in the league.
Even if worried fans are overreating a bit, their worries are justified because what the fans want more than anything is not to get screwed over too badly if getting screwed over is what happens in the end.
The Jazz and Wizards will still be tied for the highest odds of getting the No. 1 pick at 14%. The key difference between finishing with the worst record and second-worst is that the worst team in the league will see their pick fall to the fifth overall pick at worst.
The second-worst team in the league would finish would get the sixth overall pick at worst. It's kind of a nitpick, but any fanbase would brace for the worst and want to mitigate the worst-case scenario as much as possible.
If both Utah and Washington lost today, it would come down to a coin flip. Because the Wizards won, and who knows why they just did that, the Jazz now have the opportunity to seize the NBA's worst record.
It doesn't guarantee the Jazz will win the lottery, but it would perfect the tank.
The Jazz still have to lose to the Timberwolves for this to happen
It seems like a sure thing that the Jazz will lose to the Timberwolves. Forget Anthony Edwards playing. Just look at their injury report.
Jazz Injury Report:
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) April 12, 2025
OUT - Jordan Clarkson (left plantar; fasciitis)
OUT - Isaiah Collier (right hamstring; soreness)
OUT - John Collins (left ankle; sprain)
OUT - Elijah Harkless (left groin; strain)
OUT - Taylor Hendricks (right fibula; fracture)
OUT - Walker Kessler…
But they still have to lose to make it happen. It may seem like a layup for all parties involved, but hey, so did the Heat beating the Wizards, and look what happened there.
And hey, between the Mavericks trading Luka Doncic to the Lakers to the Nuggets firing Mike Malone, the NBA has made it clear that they're not above making absolutely no sense at all, so anything can happen.