Washington Wizards: 3 reasons they still have a shot at the playoffs

The Brooklyn Nets

There are few teams having a tougher season than the Brooklyn Nets. After emerging as the no-doubt victors of the offseason, behind they’re acquiring Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, neither star is expected to play for the rest of the year.

Durant, as most know, suffered an Achilles injury in the NBA Finals, which made any return this season highly doubtful. But Irving played just 20 games this season, and has undergone arthroscopic surgery on one of his shoulders, which means he’s ruled out as well.

And since it was announced Irving would miss the rest of the year, the Brooklyn Nets have fallen into an absolute tailspin. Once the Eastern Conference’s sixth seed, they’re now clinging on to their playoff seeding while the Wizards continue their chase.

They’ve lost four of their last five, with their lone win being Tuesday night’s epic comeback win over the Boston Celtics. Caris LeVert went for 51 points, which is obviously not something you can rely in night and night out.

The Orlando Magic have seemingly rediscovered how to score the basketball, and are now neck and neck with the Nets, just one  game behind Brooklyn in the loss column.

Brooklyn’s remaining 22 games feature 11 teams with an above .500 record, including some clubs chasing the playoffs out West. Needless to say, if the Wizards do make the playoffs, they’ll be sending a fruit basket and thank you note of some sort to the Nets front office.