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The NBA Finals have a Washington Wizards problem (or secret weapon)

A former Wizard has appeared in every NBA Finals since 2017 -- and this year, 18 of them are suiting up for 11 different playoff teams. Here's how they got there.

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Cavaliers win by 55 points to sweep Heat, finish off most lopsided series in NBA playoff history

Cavaliers win by 55 points to sweep Heat, finish off most lopsided series in NBA playoff history

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Bucks confirm All-Star guard Damian Lillard has a torn left Achilles tendon

Bucks confirm All-Star guard Damian Lillard has a torn left Achilles tendon

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For the Rockets, it's all about stopping Steph Curry

For the Rockets, it's all about stopping Steph Curry

Knicks' Brunson, Towns push Pistons closer to the edge

Knicks' Brunson, Towns push Pistons closer to the edge

Duke freshman big man Khaman Maluach is headed to the NBA draft

Duke freshman big man Khaman Maluach is headed to the NBA draft

Jimmy Butler sits out with injury as Stephen Curry leads Warriors to Game 3 win over Rockets

Jimmy Butler sits out with injury as Stephen Curry leads Warriors to Game 3 win over Rockets

Full-strength Wolves take series lead into Game 4 vs. Lakers, as health looms large in NBA playoffs

Full-strength Wolves take series lead into Game 4 vs. Lakers, as health looms large in NBA playoffs

Curry, Warriors will need others to step up if Butler misses Game 3 against Rockets

Curry, Warriors will need others to step up if Butler misses Game 3 against Rockets

WNBA training camps ready to open this weekend with Caitlin Clark preparing for Year 2

WNBA training camps ready to open this weekend with Caitlin Clark preparing for Year 2

NBA playoff guide, Day 6: Who plays when, how to watch, what the odds are

NBA playoff guide, Day 6: Who plays when, how to watch, what the odds are

Tigers, Pistons take baton in Detroit's pro sports renaissance

Tigers, Pistons take baton in Detroit's pro sports renaissance

Bueckers dons cowboy hat in Dallas as WNBA No. 1 overall pick formally introduced by Wings

Bueckers dons cowboy hat in Dallas as WNBA No. 1 overall pick formally introduced by Wings

Judge dismisses lawsuit filed against Grizzlies' Morant over fight during pickup game

Judge dismisses lawsuit filed against Grizzlies' Morant over fight during pickup game

NBA playoff guide: Who plays when, how to watch, what the odds are

NBA playoff guide: Who plays when, how to watch, what the odds are

Wizards' Keefe voted NBA's worst coach in player poll

Wizards' Keefe voted NBA's worst coach in player poll

Maryland forward Allie Kubek enters transfer portal after averaging 9.1 points per game in 2024-25

Maryland forward Allie Kubek enters transfer portal after averaging 9.1 points per game in 2024-25

New NCAA rules set table for schools to pay players directly

New NCAA rules set table for schools to pay players directly

NCAA passes series of rules that sets table for schools to pay players directly

NCAA passes series of rules that sets table for schools to pay players directly

Pacers look to make Game 2 more difficult for Bucks as NBA playoff teams focus on defensive effort

Pacers look to make Game 2 more difficult for Bucks as NBA playoff teams focus on defensive effort

Duke freshman Cooper Flagg is headed to the NBA as the favorite to be the No. 1 overall draft pick

Duke freshman Cooper Flagg is headed to the NBA as the favorite to be the No. 1 overall draft pick

Thunder beat Grizzlies 131-80 in Game 1, the fifth-biggest margin of victory in postseason history

Thunder beat Grizzlies 131-80 in Game 1, the fifth-biggest margin of victory in postseason history

Kawhi Leonard is fresh in mind and body as the streaking Los Angeles Clippers open the playoffs

Kawhi Leonard is fresh in mind and body as the streaking Los Angeles Clippers open the playoffs

Former Heisman Trophy winner Charlie Ward to take over as Florida A&M's basketball coach

Former Heisman Trophy winner Charlie Ward to take over as Florida A&M's basketball coach

'Getting closer': Wizards general manager feels optimistic after another woeful campaign

'Getting closer': Wizards general manager feels optimistic after another woeful campaign

Last chance time: Hawks-Heat, Grizzlies-Mavericks to decide final NBA playoff spots on Friday

Last chance time: Hawks-Heat, Grizzlies-Mavericks to decide final NBA playoff spots on Friday

Thunder, Cavaliers play waiting game to see who they'll face in Round 1 of playoffs

Thunder, Cavaliers play waiting game to see who they'll face in Round 1 of playoffs

Butler, Curry lead Warriors past Grizzlies 121-116 to secure seventh seed in West playoffs

Butler, Curry lead Warriors past Grizzlies 121-116 to secure seventh seed in West playoffs

International players again take NBA Playoffs' center stage

International players again take NBA Playoffs' center stage

Dude Perfect has grown from trick shots to trusted sports and entertainment brand

Mystics earn high marks for WNBA draft performance

Mystics earn high marks for WNBA draft performance

LOVERRO: Rooting for the Wizards boils down to cheering for a ping-pong ball

LOVERRO: Rooting for the Wizards boils down to cheering for a ping-pong ball

Sedona Prince goes undrafted in WNBA with her basketball future now murky

Sedona Prince goes undrafted in WNBA with her basketball future now murky

Fashion, heritage and talent: Players turn the WNBA draft into a cultural showcase

Fashion, heritage and talent: Players turn the WNBA draft into a cultural showcase

Bueckers selected No. 1 overall in WNBA draft, going to Wings

Bueckers selected No. 1 overall in WNBA draft, going to Wings

Pelicans fire basketball operations chief David Griffin after an injury-plagued 21-61 season

Pelicans fire basketball operations chief David Griffin after an injury-plagued 21-61 season

Warriors among second-tier teams looking to survive NBA's play-in tournament

Warriors among second-tier teams looking to survive NBA's play-in tournament

Mystics trade guard Karlie Samuelson to Lynx for 2026 first-round pick

Mystics trade guard Karlie Samuelson to Lynx for 2026 first-round pick

Hornets want to see franchise cornerstone point guard LaMelo Ball get stronger, stay on the floor

Hornets want to see franchise cornerstone point guard LaMelo Ball get stronger, stay on the floor

Washington Wizards look to promising future after another disappointing season

Washington Wizards look to promising future after another disappointing season

Phoenix Suns fire coach Mike Budenholzer after one dismal season with high-priced roster

Phoenix Suns fire coach Mike Budenholzer after one dismal season with high-priced roster

Carrington hits game-winner as time expires to lift Wizards past play-in bound Heat

Carrington hits game-winner as time expires to lift Wizards past play-in bound Heat

Bueckers has had busy week since helping UConn win national championship

Bueckers has had busy week since helping UConn win national championship

Antetokounmpo and most other top Bucks resting for regular-season finale with Pistons

Antetokounmpo and most other top Bucks resting for regular-season finale with Pistons

The NBA's playoff chase will end Sunday. Here's a look at what's happening

The NBA's playoff chase will end Sunday. Here's a look at what's happening

The NBA's playoff chase will end Sunday. Here's a look at what's happening

The NBA's playoff chase will end Sunday. Here's a look at what's happening

Paige Bueckers is projected to go No. 1 in WNBA draft to Dallas Wings

Paige Bueckers is projected to go No. 1 in WNBA draft to Dallas Wings

Rebuilding Mystics prepare for WNBA draft after several stars opt out

Rebuilding Mystics prepare for WNBA draft after several stars opt out

Betting was up in men's NCAA Tournament and during women's basketball season

Betting was up in men's NCAA Tournament and during women's basketball season

Dowtin scores career-high 30 points as 76ers snap 12-game skid with win over Wizards

Dowtin scores career-high 30 points as 76ers snap 12-game skid with win over Wizards

Willard vows to maintain culture Wright built while trying to turn around Villanova

Willard vows to maintain culture Wright built while trying to turn around Villanova

James becomes first professional male athlete to have likeness depicted in a Ken doll

James becomes first professional male athlete to have likeness depicted in a Ken doll

Nuggets fire coach Malone, won't extend GM Booth in stunning move as postseason looms

Nuggets fire coach Malone, won't extend GM Booth in stunning move as postseason looms

Houston's Sampson saw his first national title slip away against Florida

Houston's Sampson saw his first national title slip away against Florida

Florida shows up late for NCAA title celebration on campus

Florida shows up late for NCAA title celebration on campus

Siakam has 24 points, 10 rebounds as Pacers beat Wizards for fifth straight win

Siakam has 24 points, 10 rebounds as Pacers beat Wizards for fifth straight win

Texas' Tre Johnson declares for NBA draft after his stellar freshman season

Texas' Tre Johnson declares for NBA draft after his stellar freshman season

Villanova title game hero Jenkins sues NCAA to recoup lost income

Villanova title game hero Jenkins sues NCAA to recoup lost income

It's the last week of the NBA regular season. It's time to talk awards, and the MVP race

It's the last week of the NBA regular season. It's time to talk awards, and the MVP race

Walter Clayton Jr.'s defensive stop gives Florida its 3rd national title with 65-63 win over Houston

Walter Clayton Jr.'s defensive stop gives Florida its 3rd national title with 65-63 win over Houston

Reeling Nuggets cling to hope they can straighten themselves out this week with the playoffs looming

Reeling Nuggets cling to hope they can straighten themselves out this week with the playoffs looming