Wizards express regret over April Fools’ prank, clarify that segment was pre-planned.

The Washington Wizards have issued an apology for an April Fools’ “skit” in which a staged fan appeared to be deceived into thinking he had successfully made a half-court shot for $10,000.

In a statement released on Thursday, the Wizards acknowledged that they “missed the mark,” clarifying that the entire segment was scripted.

“We apologize for last night’s April Fools’ prank that left many questioning whether we had misled a fan,” the Wizards stated. “The skit featuring our mascot and other members of our performance team was scripted and meant to commemorate the day. All participants were aware of the joke, but we missed the mark.”

During a break in the Wizards’ 153-131 defeat to the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday — marking Washington’s fourth consecutive loss and 20th in their last 21 games — the “fan” attempted a blindfolded half-court shot that went far over the backboard. Nevertheless, several mascots rushed to celebrate with the fan and presented him with an oversized $10,000 check before revealing how poorly he had missed.

“I’m not going to lie, sir: I really, really dislike April Fools’ Day,” the on-court presenter remarked to the individual.

Before the Wizards disclosed that the stunt was fabricated, criticism emerged on social media. Some pointed out that it was inappropriate for the Wizards to mislead a fan who likely paid to attend the game, especially during a season in which the team has the worst record in the NBA, resulting in Washington missing the playoffs for the fifth consecutive year.

“Our fans are our priority, and we remain dedicated to ensuring a positive experience for all who come to our games,” the Wizards stated in their announcement.