WASHINGTON, April 2 (UPI) -- Chris Webber had 28 points and nine rebounds against his former team Wednesday night as the Sacramento Kings deflated the playoff hopes of Michael Jordan and the Washington Wizards with a 105-99 victory.
Webber played in Washington from 1994-98. His acquisition sparked renewed interest in the moribund franchise, but he led the club to just one postseason appearance -- a sweep at the hands of Jordan's Chicago Bulls in 1997.
Since Washington traded Webber to Sacramento in May 1998, he has not missed the playoffs, while the Wizards have not made them. Not even the arrival of Jordan as an executive two years ago and his return as a player eight months later has been enoughto change Washington's fortunes.
Trying to make the playoffs for just the second time in 15 years, the Wizards (34-40) were overwhelmed early and trailed by 22 points in the third quarter. They rallied within four points in the fourth quarter but came up short, losing for the fifth time in seven games.
With just eight games remaining, Washington fell two games behind Milwaukee (37-39) in the race for the final playoff berth in the Eastern Conference. The Wizards must finish ahead of the Bucks, who own the tiebreaker.
