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Live updates from the 2026 NBA draft lottery as pi...
Key takeaways
- The Washington Wizards will pick No. 1 in the 2026 NBA draft, winning the lottery in Chicago on Sunday.
- The Brooklyn Nets, Indiana Pacers and Wizards all entered with the best chances to land the No. 1 pick, each at 14%.
- Since the league switched to the new lottery system before the 2018-19 season, the team with the worst record had never received the top pick -- until Sunday.
Why this matters: a sports story that could shift standings, legacies, or fan conversations.
The Washington Wizards will pick No. 1 in the 2026 NBA draft, winning the lottery in Chicago on Sunday.
The Brooklyn Nets, Indiana Pacers and Wizards all entered with the best chances to land the No. 1 pick, each at 14%.
Since the league switched to the new lottery system before the 2018-19 season, the team with the worst record had never received the top pick -- until Sunday. Washington finished the season with the league's worst mark at 17-65.
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