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LOTTERY JACKPOT: WIZARDS LAND NO. 1 OVERALL PICK IN NBA DRAFT

The Washington Wizards traded for injured veterans Anthony Davis and Trae Young over the winter as part of a plan to turn around one of the league’s worst teams.

Another crucial piece of the Wizards’ plan fell into place during Sunday’s NBA draft lottery when they won the first pick in a year when the draft features multiple potential stars.

It marks the first time Washington owns the No. 1 overall pick since 2010 when it chose guard John Wall, who became a five-time All-Star. Wall flew to Chicago to represent the Wizards at the podium during the lottery presentation.

The Utah Jazz landed the second pick, the Memphis Grizzlies got No. 3 and the Chicago Bulls jumped up to No. 4.

The Wizards, Jazz and Grizzlies each had 14% chances to win the lottery. The Bulls had odds of just 4.5% but jumped five teams to reach the top four.

Overall, it will be the fifth time Washington has owned the No. 1 pick. The Wizards posted the league’s worst showing this season (17-65), compiled a 50-196 record over the past three campaigns and have missed the playoffs five straight seasons.

“Today is another encouraging day for Wizards fans and our entire organization,” team president Michael Winger said in a news release. “To choose first among this inspiring group of athletes is a welcomed opportunity, and challenge, for our group. We look forward to adding another high performing young player to our ascending team.”

The NBA Draft will be held June 23-24 in New York.

The top candidates to go No. 1 overall are BYU guard AJ Dybantsa and Kansas guard Darryn Peterson, a pair of 19-year-olds who spent just one year in school.

The 6-foot-9 Dybantsa led the nation in scoring with 25.5 points per game and has the look of a player who will soon be among the top NBA scorers. The 6-6 Peterson was an injury-related enigma at Kansas, yet averaged 20.2 points and might have been the most gifted player in the college ranks.

Moments before the results were announced, Dybantsa was thinking about the options.

“Obviously, wanting to be the No. 1 pick, working to be the No. 1 pick, I’ll be excited,” Dybantsa said. “It’s a great opportunity.”

Among other top candidates are Duke forward Cameron Boozer, North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson, Arkansas guard Darius Acuff, Illinois guard Keaton Wagler and Louisville guard Mikel Brown Jr.

The Los Angeles Clippers landed the fifth pick, which came from the Indiana Pacers due to a trade deadline deal that moved Ivica Zubac to the Pacers and Bennedict Mathurin to the Clippers. The Pacers’ pick was protected only if it finished among the top four.

The Brooklyn Nets will select sixth, following by the Sacramento Kings, Atlanta Hawks, Dallas Mavericks and Milwaukee Bucks to round out the top 10. Atlanta ended up with the No. 8 pick, stemming from a trade with the New Orleans Pelicans on the night of the 2025 draft that moved Derik Queen to New Orleans.

The Golden State Warriors have the 11th pick, followed by the Oklahoma City Thunder with a pick obtained from the Clippers in the 2019 trade that sent Paul George to Los Angeles. The Thunder also obtained reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the deal.

The Miami Heat will pick 13th and the Charlotte Hornets claimed the last lottery selection.

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2026 NBA MOCK DRAFT: AJ DYBANTSA BEST FIT FOR WIZARDS AT NO. 1 OVERALL

After a much-maligned race to the bottom of the standings, the first round of the draft board is finally set. As the pre-draft process ramps up and NBA front offices get their ducks in a row, here is my initial post-lottery 2026 mock draft (assuming the lottery order is not beset by trades). The NBA draft will be held June 23-24 in New York.

1. Washington Wizards: AJ Dybantsa

Forward, BYU, freshman, 6-foot-9, 210 pounds, 19 years old

Washington signaled an intention to expedite their rebuild by buying low on Trae Young and Anthony Davis midway through the 2025-26 campaign, and their plea for lottery glory has finally come to bear.

While the Darryn Peterson vs. AJ Dybantsa conversation depends on the eye of the beholder, Dybantsa slots in perfectly between the Wizards’ incumbent youngsters and acquired stars as the keystone for their future. Dybantsa is a swingman with high-end potential as a dribble penetrator and mid-post savant, commanding defensive attention in the middle of the floor. He is equally effective attacking closeouts and slashing into openings. Most importantly, he can be brought along at his own pace and avoid being overburdened in D.C.

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2. Utah Jazz: Darryn Peterson

Guard, Kansas, freshman, 6-5, 205, 19

The Jazz fell just short of first dibs on their hometown hero but wind up with a superb consolation prize in Peterson. After pushing several of their chips in for Jaren Jackson Jr., Utah is full steam ahead for a winning trajectory.

Peterson can thrive at either guard spot because of his boundless off-ball movement and willingness to coexist with other primary creators. The Jazz have a colossal front-line to free him up off screens, a dependable lead ball carrier in Keyonte George, as well as a burgeoning wing stopper in Ace Bailey. Peterson’s frenetic zip, shot-making variety, and hybrid M.O. will allow coach Will Hardy to truly tap into his offensive ingenuity after a multi-year rebuild.

3. Memphis Grizzlies: Cameron Boozer

Forward, Duke, freshman, 6-9, 250, 18

If the Grizzlies were hellbent on making it work with Ja Morant, Caleb Wilson would be the pick here to expand Memphis’ stout, rangy supporting cast two through five. But all indicators point to a break-up and subsequent clean slate.

Boozer is a high-floor prospect with all the outlines of an offensive linchpin. His IQ, touch and floor game should provide offensive juice in the absence of a true first option, and the inside-outside nature of his skillset is compatible with Zach Edey — who Memphis has made clear is a pillar of their future. Boozer is the safest pick with projectable polish despite athletic limitations.

4. Chicago Bulls: Caleb Wilson

Forward, North Carolina, freshman, 6-10, 215, 19

Chicago’s highest selection since 2020, there is a credible argument to pursue a lead-creator at this spot in Darius Acuff Jr. or Kingston Flemings — especially with spindly young forwards Matas Buzelis and Noa Essengue in tow. However, this is a prime opportunity to take the best player available.

Wilson is a physical marvel with unmistakable all-defense potential. Bereft of a true interior force for more than a decade in the Windy City, Wilson blends interior ferocity, mid-range finesse and open floor dominance. His jump shot remains a lingering question, but he would serve as a valuable building block for a team in desperate need of competitive fervor.

5. Los Angeles Clippers: Keaton Wagler

Guard, Illinois, freshman, 6-6, 185, 19

The Clippers waited with baited breath for a 48% chance at pillaging Indiana’s pick, a gamble that should pay immense dividends for a franchise that does not own its first-round pick until 2030. Drafting a lead guard in Darius Acuff Jr. or Kingston Flemings would clash with the presence of true point guard Darius Garland, rendering Illinois’ Wagler a cleaner fit.

A late-blooming prospect that ascended as a freshman, Wagler is an off-guard that brings laser 3-point shooting and a refined off-the-dribble game. Despite his mid-tier athleticism and a slender build, Keaton profiles as an ideal secondary running mate to insert next to All-Star forward Kawhi Leonard and Garland.

6. Brooklyn Nets: Darius Acuff Jr.

Guard, Arkansas, freshman, 6-3, 190, 19

On the outside looking in once again, Nets general manager Sean Marks must make-do with his options in the mid-lottery for back-to-back drafts. Luckily for him, this range is littered with lead-initiators that check a lot of the boxes on Brooklyn’s wish list. Chief among them is Acuff, a potent scorer and on-ball self-starter who notched ridiculous counting stats and sterling efficiency under Razorbacks coach John Calipari.

The Nets have yearned for a go-to guy offensively since jettisoning Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant. Acuff just might be the answer as a three-level menace who can eviscerate the first line of defense — although his defensive drawbacks loom large. The 6-8 guard Egor Demin’s positional size would make for a fascinating dual-wield backcourt experiment for the Nets to build on going forward.

7. Sacramento Kings: Kingston Flemings

Guard, Houston, freshman, 6-4, 190, 19

Death, taxes and lottery misery in Sac-Town. The Kings have lacked a gear-shifting guard presence since De’Aaron Fox forced his way out of town. Enter Flemings, a jitterbug lead-guard with the ball handling and creative dynamism to puncture halfcourt defenses as well as the defensive activity to remain viable on both sides of the ball.

Sacramento needs to dig itself out of a monumental, albeit entirely self-inflicted, organizational rut. Taking a swing on Flemings’ all-around scoring and facilitative upside is about as good a lifeline as you can hope for at No. 7.

8. Atlanta Hawks (via New Orleans): Brayden Burries

Guard, Arizona, freshman, 6-4, 205, 20

Atlanta’s hopes of nabbing a bona fide fortune-shifting prospect ran dry when it wound up outside the top four. While most draft evaluators may pencil in a primary creator like Acuff, Flemings or Mikel Brown Jr., Burries as an ideal fit given the Hawks’ trajectory.

He boasts a largely ancillary skillset — spot-up shooting, straight-line driving, read-and-react playmaking — and, as such, theoretically has a lower ceiling. However, he makes perfect sense orbiting, and amplifying, Jalen Johnson and Dyson Daniels’ ever-growing facilitative qualities. Most importantly, Burries is a serial transition threat that could seamlessly weaponize Johnson’s affinity for early offense in a manner that few ever could.

9. Dallas Mavericks: Mikel Brown Jr.

Guard, Louisville, freshman, 6-5, 190, 20

Brown had glimpses that could have you falling head over heels for his long-term outlook. A 6-5 lead-guard with smooth shooting mechanics and shot-making fearlessness that is impossible to ignore, Brown’s draft stock is inherently divisive. On one hand, you have a tight handle, buoyant athleticism, instinctive passing chops and limitless 3-point range. On the other, you have reckless turnovers, iffy shot selection, and a wiry build.

In a more streamlined role, Brown could blossom into one of the league’s premier dribble pull-up shooters with downhill punch to match. The Mavs could use a perimeter wild card to pair with Cooper Flagg and lighten the offensive load.

10. Milwaukee Bucks: Nate Ament

Forward, Tennessee, freshman, 6-10, 207, 19

With their future in relative shambles, a swing for the fences feels apropos in light of the Bucks’ current standoff with franchise superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. Not to mention this being their first lottery pick since Thon Maker in 2016. A 6-10 forward who can pass, dribble and shoot (at least in theory), Ament’s freshman season was a tale of two halves with his efficiency skyrocketing at the turn of the calendar.

While his offensive game is glaringly unpolished and he has plenty of bulking up to do, there are clear outlines of a capable dribble attacker, movement shooter and auxiliary facilitator that, if they eventually bolden, could provide Milwaukee with a foundational piece in the post-Giannis era.

11. Golden State Warriors: Yaxel Lendeborg

Forward, Michigan, senior, 6-9, 240, 23

Fresh off clinching the national championship, Lendeborg is finally primed and ready to make the NBA leap after years in the draft consciousness. After extending coach Steve Kerr, the Warriors are faced with a harsh duality — maximizing Stephen Curry’s twilight years while keeping an eye to the future. 

Despite turning 24 years old in September, Yaxel bridges that gap while addressing a positional need. He is a 6-10 (with shoes) forward that can scale up and down the positional spectrum defensively with his 7-4 wingspan and rock-steady base strength. Offensively, he can put the ball on the deck, set sturdy screens and improved his jump shooting to the tune of 37.2% as a super senior. Lendeborg is a seasoned, all-purpose, two-way force that can get in where he fits in for a well-traveled Warriors core.

12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Clippers): Karim Lopez

Forward, Mexico/New Zealand Breakers, 6-9, 220, 19

With center Isaiah Hartenstein’s contract expiring in 2027, the stashing of 2025 first-round draft pick Thomas Sorber obviates an immediate need for frontcourt reinforcements. While Jayden Quaintance (Kentucky), Hannes Steinbach (Washington) or Aday Mara (Michigan) could each be a worthy successor, the Thunder’s rotation could use a combo-forward.

Lopez spent the past two seasons in New Zealand honing his sensibilities as a supplementary 3-and-D wing. Thunder general manager Sam Presti is familiar with the New Zealand Breakers pipeline, trading up to No. 11 in 2022 to select Ousmane Dieng. Lopez’s role player experience in a professional setting may well put him ahead of the developmental curve.

13. Miami Heat: Labaron Philon Jr.

Guard, Alabama, sophomore, 6-4, 185, 20

Stuck in basketball purgatory with options aplenty from a team building perspective, Miami once again finds itself in the mid-first round. It is difficult to identify a specific need for such a competent-but-not-elite roster, but Philon’s on-ball brilliance and massive sophomore leap makes him a frontrunner in this range.

Philon is as shifty and surgical a ball handler as you’ll find in this class. He makes up for a lack of verticality with various dribble combinations, cunning tempo changes, and a trusty floater. If guard Tyler Herro is not long for Miami, Labaron is a great contingency plan in the backcourt who can theoretically play alongside Kasparas Jakucionis for a dual-creator look.

14. Charlotte Hornets: Hannes Steinbach

Forward/center, Washington, freshman, 6-11, 220, 20

The Hornets flexed a competent defense for the first time in eons. Aday Mara presents an intriguing man-in-the-middle option to add to their center rotation of Moussa Diabate and Ryan Kalkbrenner, but Charlotte should prioritize optionality above all else. Accordingly, Steinbach stands out from the pack.

A hybrid big that vacuums rebounds on both ends with physicality and inside positioning, Steinbach’s offensive upside is a major selling point. A sophisticated low-post repertoire, deft touch, elbow playmaking and, most notably, a hint of 3-point aptitude (18-for-53 at a 34% clip as a freshman) gives coach Charles Lee much-needed versatility to work with from the high post. If Steinbach’s 3-point range manifests, he could coexist with Diabate in unprecedented double-big lineup machinations.

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WOLVES WIN AFTER SPURS’ VICTOR WEMBANYAMA EJECTED, EVEN SERIES

Anthony Edwards scored 16 of his 36 points in the fourth quarter and the Minnesota Timberwolves took advantage of Victor Wembanyama’s ejection to post a 114-109 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday night in Minneapolis, tying the Western Conference second-round series at two games apiece.

Naz Reid contributed 15 points and nine rebounds off the bench for Minnesota. He also took an elbow from Wembanyama into his chin on the play in which the Spurs’ star was ejected in the second quarter.

Jaden McDaniels scored 14 points, Julius Randle scored 12 and Rudy Gobert had 11 points and 13 rebounds for the Timberwolves. Ayo Dosunmu added 10 points for Minnesota.

De’Aaron Fox and reserve Dylan Harper scored 24 points apiece and Stephon Castle added 20 for the Spurs. Devin Vassell tallied 14 points for San Antonio. Wembanyama had four points, four rebounds and no blocks in 12-plus minutes.

“We never expected them just to go away,” Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said. “They won a game in the Portland series without Wembanyama, so they’re very good, very good team.”

Game 5 is Tuesday in San Antonio.

The Spurs trailed by seven before Harper made two free throws with 29.1 seconds left and Julian Champagnie hit two with 20.6 seconds remaining to bring San Antonio within 112-109.

Dosunmu answered with two free throws with 9.8 seconds left as Minnesota closed it out.

“Just small-time plays,” Edwards told reporters when asked how the Timberwolves won Game 4. “Small-time plays win big-time games. That’s what we needed. Diving on the floor, offensive rebounds and it was a great sub by Finchie for putting in Ayo for that last minute-and-a-half.”

Earlier, Wembanyama grabbed a rebound and was trying to protect the ball from two Timberwolves when he turned and unleashed a vicious right elbow into the chin of Reid and was called for a foul with 8:39 left in the first half.

The officiating crew studied views of the play before upgrading the foul to a flagrant 2, which is an automatic ejection. Crew chief Zach Zarba said, “There was windup, impact and follow-through above the neck of an opponent.”

“I’m glad he (Wembanyama) took matters into his own hands,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said. “Not in terms of hitting Naz Reid, I want to be very clear about that. I’m glad Naz Reid is OK and I didn’t want him to elbow him. But [Wemby’s] going to have to protect himself if no one else does for him. And I think it’s disgusting.”

Minnesota led 60-56 at the break. Edwards scored 18 in the half while Castle led San Antonio with 14 first-half points.

Despite the loss of Wembanyama, the Spurs scored 20 of the first 28 points in the third quarter and led 76-68 after a basket by Vassell with 4:33 left in the period.

“I thought offensively, we were really doing a lot of good things,” Finch said. “We lost our way a little bit, and gave them life.”

San Antonio’s Keldon Johnson drove for a hoop with 21.9 seconds remaining for an 84-80 advantage entering the final stanza.

Fox buried a 3-pointer to give San Antonio a 94-86 lead with 8:51 left in the contest before Edwards scored 12 points during the Timberwolves’ 14-5 run.

“We had a chance to win,” Johnson said. “We didn’t close it out the way we wanted to. … Minnesota made some plays and finished the game.”

Edwards started the burst with a jumper and he soon scored five consecutive points on a short floater and a long straightaway 3-pointer to cut the Minnesota deficit to three with 7:10 remaining. He later canned two free throws with 5:51 left to bring the Timberwolves within 97-95 before drilling a 3-pointer 39 seconds later to give Minnesota a one-point edge.

Gobert later delivered a thunderous dunk to give the Timberwolves a 107-101 lead with 1:56 to play.

Minnesota shot 44.7% from the field, including 10 of 27 from 3-point range.

The Spurs made 47.7% of their attempts and hit just 6 of 26 from behind the arc.

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REMARKABLE 3-POINT PERFORMANCE HELPS KNICKS ROUT 76ERS, COMPLETE SWEEP

Closing out a playoff series is one of the toughest challenges in sports, but the red-hot New York Knicks are making it look easy.

Miles McBride made 7 of 9 3-pointers for 25 points and Jalen Brunson scored 22 on 6-of-10 shooting from long range as the visiting Knicks throttled the Philadelphia 76ers 144-114 in Game 4 on Sunday to sweep their second-round playoff series.

Josh Hart (17 points) and Landry Shamet (12) each made four 3-pointers for New York, which started 11-of-12 from long distance on its way to tying NBA playoff records for most 3-pointers in a quarter (11), half (18) and game (25).

“It’s the spacing,” said Knicks coach Mike Brown, whose team also dominated the decisive game of its first-round series with the Atlanta Hawks, 140-89. “(The Sixers) are so quick, they’re so athletic. … So, if you’re not spaced the right way, you’re not going to get great looks.”

Karl-Anthony Towns chipped in 17 points and 10 assists for the third-seeded Knicks, who shot 56.8% from 3-point range (25 of 44) in advancing to their second straight Eastern Conference finals. New York will battle either the top-seeded Detroit Pistons or the fourth-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers for a spot in the NBA Finals.

“One game at a time. One game at a time,” Brunson said of the two potential opponents in the conference finals. “We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.”

The Knicks’ offensive assault came despite the absence of second-leading scorer OG Anunoby (hamstring), who missed his second straight game.

The seventh-seeded Sixers had oft-injured Joel Embiid for the second straight game, but his 24 points on 8-of-8 shooting didn’t make a dent in the lopsided result. Tyrese Maxey contributed 17 points for Philadelphia, which trailed by double figures for the final 43 minutes.

“The energy obviously was a big gap, between their energy and our energy, I thought,” said Sixers coach Nick Nurse, “and we dug ourselves a big hole that we could never really get out of.”

The Sixers have not reached the Eastern Conference finals since 2001.

“We’ve haven’t won,” Embiid said, “but I’ve been doing this for a long time — it’s hard to win in this league. … Quite frankly, New York — they were just better than us, in everything.”

The Knicks stormed out of the gates with 3-pointers by Brunson and Hart in the first three minutes. Shortly thereafter, McBride went 4-of-4 from 3-point range in less than 90 seconds as the lead quickly ballooned to 20-6.

Even when the Sixers briefly got within 11, Brunson made a pair of 3-pointers to stretch the lead back to 35-18. Shamet then came off the bench and tacked on two more 3-pointers later in the quarter as New York led 43-24 after 12 minutes.

“That’s what they do,” Brunson said of the key contributions from McBride and Shamet. “It just happened to be they were both locked in on the same day.”

Shamet, Towns and McBride each made a 3-pointer early in the second quarter as the lead grew to 59-32. The Knicks missed their next five from long range, but Brunson and Hart connected on back-to-back triples to get the visitors back in a groove.

In the final minute, McBride’s sixth 3-pointer of the half made it 78-52 and Hart added one more for good measure to help the Knicks go into the locker room ahead 81-57.

Midway through the third quarter, McBride’s final 3-pointer stretched the lead to 30 for the first time. New York went on to lead 122-83 after three quarters and cruised to the finish line.

“Just a heck of a game by our guys,” Brown said. “Their focus. Their attention to detail, while bringing energy and effort — not just tonight, but through the course of the series — was at a pretty high level.”

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