The Washington Wizards could see their long-standing championship drought further entrenched, as their last title came in 1978. Meanwhile, a former Wizard hasn't missed the spotlight during the last eight championship years. The Oklahoma City Thunder's recent victory puts the pressure on the Indiana Pacers, specifically center Thomas Bryant, who previously played for the Wizards, to push for a comeback in the ongoing series.

This trend began when Shaun Livingston and JaVale McGee secured their first titles with the Golden State Warriors in 2017. This was followed by other ex-Wizards like Jodie Meeks and Bobby Portis, who won championships with the Toronto Raptors and Milwaukee Bucks, respectively.

As the Pacers fight to stay in the series, stars like Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam are expected to lead the charge, while Bryant’s contributions remain minimal. The Wizards themselves are in a phase of rebuilding, having not made the playoffs since 2021. With Game 6 looming, the fate of the former Wizards champions hangs in the balance.