Shabazz Napier, #5, Washington Wizards (Photo by Ashley Landis-Pool/Getty Images)
The Washington Wizards have struggled in the bubble.
The Eastern Conference’s playoff picture was much less chaotic than the West, which led to only nine teams from the East making it to the NBA bubble. While very few expected the Washington Wizards to challenge for the postseason, even less had to anticipate the dubious distinction Washington would earn for themselves after starting out so poorly.
After a 107-98 loss against the Philadelphia 76ers, which dropped Washington’s record to 0-4 in the bubble, the Wizards officially fell below the Charlotte Hornets in the Eastern Conference standings. However, the Hornets were not invited to Orlando, meaning that they were eliminated before the Wizards despite the fact they have a higher winning percentage right now.
The Washington Wizards are playing without their top scorers.
Scott Brooks’ squad arrived in Orlando without most of their heavy hitters, While John Wall hasn’t played all year due to an Achilles injury, Bradley Beal and his 30.5 points per game also opted out of joining the Wizards in Orlando due to a shoulder injury. Losing sharpshooter Davis Bertans also didn’t help matters much.
As promising as players like Rui Hachimura, Thomas Bryant, and Troy Brown Jr. have looked in Orlando, it’s hard to win games without your three top scorers. While Wizards fans had to be thrilled that they were the only non-playoff team in the East to be incited to the bubble, they’re probably regretting that optimism after the team has looked so lifeless.
While a team led by Wall, Beal, and Bertans might be a playoff lock in a weak east, the feckless roster that is being presented before us in Orlando is getting swept aside with minimal resistance. If there is a silver lining for this scarred fanbase, it’s the fact that the 2019-20 season is almost over.