Hawks win NBA draft lottery; Wizards have second pick after worst season

CHICAGO — The Washington Wizards endured the ultimate heartbreak in last year’s NBA draft, falling a ping-pong ball short of earning the right to select French phenom Victor Wembanyama with the No. 1 pick.

History repeated itself Sunday in this year’s drawing, held at a Chicago convention center, as the Wizards once again came within one ball of the No. 1 pick, which surprisingly went to the Hawks from Atlanta. This time, however, Washington got the No. 2 pick, a consolation prize that softened the blow considerably in a year in which there is no consensus on top prospects. The Houston Rockets won the right to select third and the San Antonio Spurs landed the fourth pick.