In what has become one of the NBA’s most peculiar yet oddly fascinating superstitions, a former Washington Wizards player has appeared on the roster of every championship-winning team since 2017.
That’s right, eight straight NBA titles have had at least one ex-Wizard involved. From Shaquille O’Neal’s free-throw shooting woes to Game 7 collapses, the Wizards have long been the league’s punchline. But this bizarre streak might just be their most accidental legacy.
2017 Golden State Warriors: Shaun Livingston and JaVale McGee
2018 Golden State Warriors: Shaun Livingston and JaVale McGee
2019 Toronto Raptors: Jodie Meeks
2020 Los Angeles Lakers: Dwight Howard, JaVale McGee, and Markieff Morris
2021 Milwaukee Bucks: Bobby Portis
2022 Golden State Warriors: Gary Payton II, Otto Porter Jr., and Chris Chiozza
2023 Denver Nuggets: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Jeff Green, Ish Smith, and Thomas Bryant
2024 Boston Celtics: Kristaps Porzingis
Let’s run it back.
In 2017 and 2018, the Golden State Warriors captured titles with both Shaun Livingston and JaVale McGee on their roster. In 2019, the Toronto Raptors had sharpshooter Jodie Meeks. In the bubble year of 2020, the Los Angeles Lakers featured Dwight Howard, JaVale McGee, and Markieff Morris.
The following year, Bobby Portis, who briefly played for the Wizards in 2019, was instrumental in the Milwaukee Bucks‘ championship run.
In 2022, the Warriors returned to glory with Gary Payton II, Otto Porter Jr., and Chris Chiozza.
Then came 2023, when the Denver Nuggets had an astonishing four former Wizards: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Jeff Green, Ish Smith, and Thomas Bryant. And in 2024, Kristaps Porzingis helped the Boston Celtics win banner No. 18.
That’s eight straight championships with former Wizards making meaningful contributions or simply being on the roster at the right time.
Now we arrive at 2025, where the NBA Finals are deadlocked at 1-1 between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder. Naturally, eyes have turned toward whether the “Wizards Curse” or blessing, depending on perspective, will strike again.
Indiana has two former Wizards: Jarace Walker and Thomas Bryant.
The Thunder? None.
Game 1 saw the Pacers steal a gritty road win, led by their deep rotation and balanced scoring. However, Game 2 told a different story, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander putting on an MVP clinic in a 123-107 blowout.
His 34 points, eight assists, and history-making efficiency were reminders that the Thunder are no fluke. They’ve been responding to losses with emphatic wins all year, going 18-2 after a defeat.
Still, the series heads to Indiana, where the Pacers will play in front of their home crowd in the NBA Finals for the first time in 25 years. And riding shotgun with them into this historic moment are two players who might just carry the weight of that unintentional Wizards magic.
Sure, it’s a stretch to assume past team associations determine championship outcomes. But when the streak spans eight consecutive titles, even the most logical minds start to raise eyebrows. What began as a coincidence is now a full-blown curiosity, possibly even a pregame talking point in some locker rooms.
If the Pacers win, the legend of the Wizards’ accidental influence grows even stronger. If the Thunder take it all, the streak dies and so does one of the league’s most amusing modern rituals.
For now, it’s still alive. Two ex-Wizards stand between the Thunder and the Larry O’Brien trophy. The streak is ridiculous. The streak is real. The question now is, will it survive 2025?
