Bub Carrington clinches victory for Wizards with last-second shot

On Sunday, April 12, 2025, the Washington Wizards faced off against the Miami Heat in their final regular-season matchup held in Miami, USA. The game concluded with a thrilling finish as Bub Carrington banked in a shot that secured a narrow 119-118 victory for the Wizards. This win was a bright spot in a challenging season for the Wizards, who finished with an 18-64 record, one of the poorest in the league. Tristan Vukcevic was a standout for Washington, contributing 28 points and 11 rebounds, while Justin Champagnie added 27 points, alongside Carrington's 15 points, nine assists, and seven rebounds. The game also highlighted Jaime Jaquez Jr.'s exceptional performance for the Heat, where he achieved a career-high 41 points, complemented by 10 rebounds and seven assists. The Heat, however, had already secured their spot for the play-in game in the Eastern Conference as the 10th seed and will compete against the No. 9 seed Chicago Bulls for a playoff berth. This setup added intensity to the matchup, but the Wizards took advantage of a scenario in which Miami was resting key players, including Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro, due to injuries. As the game reached its climax, the Heat were leading by one point with only five seconds left on the clock. An inbounds pass to Josh Christopher led to a critical backcourt violation, enabling the Wizards an opportunity to regain possession immediately. That pivotal moment set the stage for Carrington's crucial last-second shot that not only showcased his resilience but also marked him as a noteworthy rookie, becoming the first Wizards player to appear in all 82 games of a season since Jeff Ruland in 1981-1982. In addition to his outstanding game-winning moment, Carrington made history by joining Luka Doncic as the only players to record over 300 assists and 100 three-pointers before the age of 20. This statistical achievement reflects not only Carrington's talent but also his potential to impact the league in the years to come. After the game, Coach Brian Keefe expressed pride in his young roster's growth despite a trying season, underscoring the importance of development in a rebuilding project. The Wizards are now poised to focus on the upcoming NBA draft, where they hold a promising chance of securing the No. 1 overall draft pick.