Tristan Vukcevic scored 28 points to lead Washington.
The Washington Wizards ended their season on a rare high note, narrowly edging the Miami Heat 119–118 in a Sunday matinee thriller at Kaseya Center. Despite playing without several key contributors, the Wizards’ young core delivered a surprise win over a short-handed Heat squad.
Tristan Vukcevic led the charge for Washington with 28 points and 11 rebounds off the bench, showcasing a dynamic inside-out game. Justin Champagnie added 27 points on an efficient 11-of-16 shooting, including five threes, while rookie Colby Jones flirted with a triple-double, posting 20 points, 10 boards, and 4 assists. Bub Carrington (15 pts, 9 ast) and Alex Sarr (10 pts, 8 reb) also chipped in, with Sarr battling in the paint to help the Wizards hold a 43–46 rebounding edge.
Miami’s Jaime Jaquez Jr. erupted for a career-high 41 points, keeping the Heat competitive despite the absence of Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro. Josh Christopher added 17 off the bench, but the Heat couldn’t contain Washington’s ball movement and three-point shooting (16-of-37, 43.2%).
Though the Heat dominated points in the paint (76 to 46) and fast break scoring (25 to 11), Washington’s hot shooting and balanced offense proved just enough. A defensive stop in the final seconds preserved the win—just the Wizards’ 18th of the season.
For the Wizards, it’s a morale boost heading into a crucial offseason. For the Heat, it’s a frustrating loss, but Jaquez Jr.’s breakout performance provides a silver lining.