2006 Washington Wizards: A Crushing Playoff Loss

The Washington Wizards made a big step forward in 2005. The acquisition of Gilbert Arenas triggered the franchise’s first playoff season since 1997, and its first postseason series victory since 1982. The 2006 Washington Wizards came close to matching that achievement, before a heartbreaking playoff loss.

Arenas had a big year, pouring in 29ppg and also averaging six assists. Antwan Jamison controlled things up front, with 21 points/9 rebounds per game. Caron Butler was a terrific small forward, averaging an 18/6 line. These were Washington’s Big Three and they got support from double-digit scorer Antonio Daniels and Jared Jeffries helping out on the boards.

A 5-1 start was highlighted by a 110-95 home win over the defending champion San Antonio Spurs. But the Wizards quickly gave it back by losing five in a row. On Christmas, Washington was a mediocre 12-14. January was more of the same. There was a four-game winning streak and a pair of wins over a playoff team in the Indiana Pacers. But there was inconsistency mixed in. Washington concluded the month at 21-22.

The good news is that the Eastern Conference was by far the weaker of the NBA’s two lungs and that record had the Wizards in 8^th place in the East—good enough to sneak into the playoffs. And February would bring some better basketball. Washington knocked off Cleveland, who had a young LeBron James coming into his own, twice. A five-game winning streak keyed a push to a 29-25 record and fifth place in the East.

But March brought a tougher schedule and tougher times. Memphis was a contender in the West, Miami would ultimately win the championship, and Detroit was headed for the 1-seed in the East. The Wizards lost to all three teams, plus a game to the Pacers. It was a part of a 1-5 stretch that had Washington reeling and another game with the Pistons on tap.

On March 11, the Wizards planted their feet and delivered a blow. They beat Detroit 110-95, starting a 7-3 stretch. They were in control of the playoff push. But there were more momentum swings. Washington began to slump and slipped to 39-40 with three games to play. In the weak Eastern Conference, they were still in the 7-spot, but nothing was guaranteed.

Washington finally put it to bed with a 104-92 win over Cleveland on a Sunday night, locking up a playoff berth. Then they beat a Milwaukee Bucks team that would also sneak into the postseason. The Wizards closed the year by knocking off the Pistons. The final record of 42-40 wasn’t dazzling, but it was good enough for the 5-seed in the East.

Cleveland was the opponent, and it was LeBron’s first time in the playoffs. Washington went on the road and shot poorly in the opener—Arenas went 7-for-20, even as he scored 26, and the team overall only made 3 of 22 shots from behind the arc. The Wizards lost 97-86. But the Big Three bounced back in Game 2. Arenas went off for a 30/6/6 line, while Jamison and Butler scored 21 apiece. An 89-84 win shifted homecourt advantage Washington’s direction.

Back in the nation’s capital is when this series started to take its ultimate shape. Arenas poured in 34 points, Butler racked up a 20/11 line, and Jamison pulled down ten rebounds. LeBron answered with 41. And it would be LeBron who got the last word—a jumper with six seconds left that handed the Wizards a crushing 97-96 loss.

Game 4 was tied after three quarters, with both teams shooting well from three-point range. What the Wizards were doing was getting to the foul line—a 32-19 edge in free throw scoring—and forcing 23 turnovers. The Big Three combined for 77 points, Jeffries grabbed ten boards, and Washington controlled the fourth quarter to win 96-86.

The crucial Game 5 back in Cleveland was nip-and-tuck all the way. Both teams shot over 50 percent. LeBron and Arenas had an epic duel, each pouring in 40-plus. The Cavs clung to a 120-119 lead. But a fatal defensive lapse led to a Cavs layup and another one-point loss.

Game 6 was another instant classic. Arenas delivered 36 points/5 rebounds/11 assists. LeBron scored 32. Washington took a seven-point lead after the first quarter, but it settled into a tight affair the rest of the way and ultimately went to overtime. For the third time in this series, Washington had a one-point lead and needed a single defensive stop. And for the third time in this series, they didn’t get it. A 114-113 loss ended the season.

The Washington-Cleveland series is an underrated classic in the annals of NBA playoff lore. For the Wizards, that was small consolation. What’s more, it led to a downward trend. Each of the next two years saw first-round exits. By 2008, Arenas would be in the midst of controversy over having a firearm in the locker room. This version of the Washington Wizards would come apart. Not until 2014, would the franchise finally win a playoff series again.