2002–03 Washington Wizards season

NBA professional basketball team season March 2026 August 2023 Washington Wizards 2003 37 45 Atlantic 5 9 Doug Collins Wes Unseld Wes Unseld Abe Pollin MCI Center Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic WTEM Did not qualify WAS The 2002–03 Washington Wizards season was the 42nd season for the Washington Wizards in the National Basketball Association, and their 30th season in Washington, D.C.. Washington Wizards Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/WAS/ August 10, 2026 This also marked the 15th and final season for All-Star guard, and NBA legend Michael Jordan, who retired for the third and final time at the age of 40. Season summary Off-season The Wizards received the eleventh overall pick in the 2002 NBA draft, and selected small forward Jared Jeffries out of Indiana University; the team also selected point guard Juan Dixon from the University of Maryland with the 17th overall pick. Lago Joe Rockets Make Yao Ming First Overall Pick ESPN June 26, 2002 https://www.espn.com/nbadraft/story?id=1399417 October 24, 2026 Passan Jeff Rockets Select Yao No. 1 Overall in Draft The Washington Post June 26, 2002 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/2002/06/27/rockets-select-yao-no-1-overall-in-draft/514fd892-fe37-4595-aed2-c42c53b509fb/ October 24, 2026 2002 NBA Draft Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_2002.html October 24, 2026 During the off-season, the team acquired All-Star guard Jerry Stackhouse from the Detroit Pistons,September 12, 2002 Plus: Pro Basketball: Pistons' Stackhouse Traded to Wizards https://www.nytimes.com/2002/09/12/sports/plus-pro-basketball-pistons-stackhouse-traded-to-wizards.html live https://web.archive.org/web/20220114042053/https://www.nytimes.com/2002/09/12/sports/plus-pro-basketball-pistons-stackhouse-traded-to-wizards.html January 14, 2022 January 13, 2022 The New York TimesSeptember 12, 2002 Stackhouse Goes to Wizards https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-sep-12-sp-newswire12-story.html live https://web.archive.org/web/20221201041216/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-sep-12-sp-newswire12-story.html December 1, 2022 November 30, 2022 Los Angeles Times Staff and Wire ReportsWyche Steve September 12, 2002 Wizards Get Stackhouse from Detroit https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/2002/09/12/wizards-get-stackhouse-from-detroit/e89e0b0b-360f-424b-8722-964bd71cdd2b/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20241130051149/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/2002/09/12/wizards-get-stackhouse-from-detroit/e89e0b0b-360f-424b-8722-964bd71cdd2b/ November 30, 2024 July 15, 2022 The Washington Post and signed free agents Larry Hughes, Bryon Russell, and Charles Oakley.July 18, 2002 Wizards Sign Guard Larry Hughes https://apnews.com/article/535c38f35ba949baf377c4dac41ca51c dead https://web.archive.org/web/20220704225142/https://apnews.com/article/535c38f35ba949baf377c4dac41ca51c July 4, 2022 January 13, 2022 Associated PressWyche Steve September 10, 2002 Wizards Expected to Sign Russell https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/2002/09/10/wizards-expected-to-sign-russell/7a918cc7-0b52-4d7a-b3e7-a79faa0336f5/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20241130052147/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/2002/09/10/wizards-expected-to-sign-russell/7a918cc7-0b52-4d7a-b3e7-a79faa0336f5/ November 30, 2024 January 13, 2022 The Washington PostWyche Steve October 13, 2002 Oakley Signs with Wizards https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/2002/10/13/oakley-signs-with-wizards/82ad885a-666f-4a40-8bbd-31cc089cafc0/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20241130052414/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/2002/10/13/oakley-signs-with-wizards/82ad885a-666f-4a40-8bbd-31cc089cafc0/ November 30, 2024 June 12, 2022 The Washington Post Retired All-Star center Patrick Ewing was hired as the team's assistant coach.Wyche Steve September 18, 2002 Wizards Add Ewing as Coach https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/2002/09/18/wizards-add-ewing-as-coach/399a13ec-33e5-4fd9-acd3-eea3fc090ee9/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20241130052658/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/2002/09/18/wizards-add-ewing-as-coach/399a13ec-33e5-4fd9-acd3-eea3fc090ee9/ November 30, 2024 July 16, 2022 The Washington PostLitsky Frank September 18, 2002 Pro Basketball: Only Smiles, No Scowls, as Ewing Says Goodbye https://www.nytimes.com/2002/09/18/sports/pro-basketball-only-smiles-no-scowls-as-ewing-says-goodbye.html live https://web.archive.org/web/20220113100151/https://www.nytimes.com/2002/09/18/sports/pro-basketball-only-smiles-no-scowls-as-ewing-says-goodbye.html January 13, 2022 July 16, 2022 The New York Times Regular season With the addition of Stackhouse and Hughes, the Wizards got off to a promising 6–4 start to the regular season, but then fell below .500 in winning percentage by posting a six-game losing streak afterwards. The team posted a five-game winning streak between December and January, and later on held a 24–25 record at the All-Star break. NBA Games Played on February 6, 2003 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/?month=2&day=6&year=2003 January 29, 2026 However, the Wizards lost 8 of their final 11 games of the season, and finished in fifth place in the Atlantic Division with a 37–45 record, which was the same record as the previous season; 2002–03 Washington Wizards Schedule and Results Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/WAS/2003_games.html January 29, 2026 the team missed the NBA playoffs for the sixth consecutive year. Stackhouse averaged 21.5 points and 4.5 assists per game, while Jordan finished second on the team in scoring averaging 20.0 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.5 steals per game, and Hughes provided the team with 12.8 points and 1.3 steals per game. In addition, Tyronn Lue contributed 8.6 points and 3.5 assists per game, while Christian Laettner provided with 8.3 points and 6.6 rebounds per game, and second-year forward Kwame Brown averaged 7.4 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. Meanwhile, Dixon contributed 6.4 points per game, but only played just 42 games due to injury, second-year center Brendan Haywood averaged 6.2 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game, and Russell provided with 4.5 points per game. 2002–03 Washington Wizards Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/WAS/2003.html January 29, 2026 Jordan played his final NBA game on April 16, 2003, in a 107–87 road loss to the Philadelphia 76ers at the First Union Center.Broussard Chris April 17, 2003 Pro Basketball: Jordan Bows Out for a Third Time https://www.nytimes.com/2003/04/17/sports/pro-basketball-jordan-bows-out-for-a-third-time.html live https://web.archive.org/web/20220114042800/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/04/17/sports/pro-basketball-jordan-bows-out-for-a-third-time.html January 14, 2022 January 13, 2022 The New York TimesWyche Steve April 17, 2003 The Air Finally Runs Out https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/2003/04/17/the-air-finally-runs-out/e818ce26-81f9-4c63-bd72-c9f10557627f/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20241203035608/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/2003/04/17/the-air-finally-runs-out/e818ce26-81f9-4c63-bd72-c9f10557627f/ December 3, 2024 June 12, 2022 The Washington PostApril 17, 2003 Jordan Starts 'Final Retirement' https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-apr-17-sp-jordan17-story.html live https://web.archive.org/web/20220715192920/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-apr-17-sp-jordan17-story.html July 15, 2022 July 15, 2022 Los Angeles Times During the NBA All-Star weekend at the Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, Jordan was selected for the 2003 NBA All-Star Game, as a member of the Eastern Conference All-Star team; it was his 14th and final All-Star selection. Sheridan Chris Something Old, Something New on Court at All-Star Game Ocala Star-Banner February 9, 2003 https://www.ocala.com/story/news/2003/02/09/something-old-something-new-on-court-at-all-star-game/31273551007/ January 28, 2026 NBA.com Staff 2003 NBA All-Star Recap NBA.com September 13, 2021 https://www.nba.com/news/history-all-star-recap-2003 January 28, 2026 2003 NBA All-Star Game: West 155, East 145 (2OT) Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/NBA_2003.html January 28, 2026 Jordan scored 20 points despite only making 9 out of 27 field-goal attempts; however, the Eastern Conference lost to the Western Conference in double-overtime, 155–145.February 9, 2003 Garnett Is the M.V.P. in Jordan's Final All-Star Game https://www.nytimes.com/2003/02/09/sports/basketball/garnett-is-the-mvp-in-jordans-final-allstar-game.html live https://web.archive.org/web/20220115063057/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/02/09/sports/basketball/garnett-is-the-mvp-in-jordans-final-allstar-game.html January 15, 2022 January 13, 2022 The New York Times Associated PressWyche Steve February 10, 2003 Passing the Torch https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/2003/02/10/passing-the-torch/e9bf0ebe-a63d-4d23-8e1c-ef03027ba5e8/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20241127055019/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/2003/02/10/passing-the-torch/e9bf0ebe-a63d-4d23-8e1c-ef03027ba5e8/ November 27, 2024 June 12, 2022 The Washington Post The Wizards finished second in the NBA in home-game attendance behind the Detroit Pistons, with an attendance of 827,093 at the MCI Center during the regular season. 2002–03 NBA Season Summary Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2003.html February 3, 2026 Aftermath Following the season, Russell signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Lakers, while Lue signed with the Orlando Magic, Oakley was released to free agency, and head coach Doug Collins was fired after two seasons with the Wizards.Wyche Steve May 31, 2003 Collins Fired as Wizards Coach https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/2003/05/31/collins-fired-as-wizards-coach/371ab402-3a27-4a3c-82df-52db72786c10/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20241203040453/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/2003/05/31/collins-fired-as-wizards-coach/371ab402-3a27-4a3c-82df-52db72786c10/ December 3, 2024 July 15, 2022 The Washington Post (See 2002–03 Washington Wizards season#Regular season) Offseason NBA draft 2002 NBA draft Round Pick Player Position Nationality College 1 11 Jared Jeffries Forward Indiana 1 17 Juan Dixon Guard Maryland 2 38 Rod Grizzard Guard Alabama 2 39 Juan Carlos Navarro Guard FC Barcelona (Spain) Roster Washington Wizards 2002–03 #004874 white #BA8545 #000000 5 Kwame Brown C 6 11 270 1982-03-10 Glynn Academy (GA) 3 Juan Dixon PG 6 3 164 1978-10-09 Maryland 00 Brendan Haywood C 7 0 268 1979-11-27 North Carolina 20 Larry Hughes PG 6 5 184 1979-01-23 Saint Louis 1 Jared Jeffries SF 6 11 230 1981-11-25 Indiana 23 Michael Jordan SF 6 6 195 1963-02-17 North Carolina 44 Christian Laettner PF 6 11 235 1969-08-17 Duke 10 Tyronn Lue PG 6 0 175 1977-05-03 Nebraska 34 Charles Oakley C 6 8 225 1963-12-18 Virginia Union 2 Bryon Russell SF 6 7 225 1970-12-31 Long Beach State 21 Bobby Simmons SG 6 7 210 1980-06-02 DePaul 42 Jerry Stackhouse SG 6 6 218 1974-11-05 North Carolina 36 Etan Thomas PF 6 9 256 1978-04-01 Syracuse 55 Jahidi White C 6 9 290 1976-02-19 Georgetown Doug Collins Johnny Bach Larry Drew Patrick Ewing Brian James Regular season thumb|Jordan during warm-ups for the last Wizards home game, on April 14, 2003. The jersey is a throwback to the Washington Bullets uniforms. After Jordan announced he would return for the 2002–03 season, he was determined to have reinforcements around him. He traded for All-Star Jerry Stackhouse and signed budding star Larry Hughes. Jordan even accepted a sixth-man role to prepare himself for the rigors of the 82-game grind. Still dealing with nagging knee issues, he came off from the bench in the first 15 games. However, a combination of injuries and uninspired play led to Jordan's return to the starting lineup, where he tried to put the team in playoff contention after a 6–9 start. The move led to mixed results, as several of Jordan's younger teammates complained about playing in his immense shadow and as well as what they perceived to be unfair expectations for them.Lee Michael April 23, 2005 M. Jordan's Legacy Is a Vastly Different Tale of Two Cities https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A10511-2005Apr22.html?nav=rss_sports/leaguesandsports/nba/19992000/washingtonwizards live https://web.archive.org/web/20150515000218/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A10511-2005Apr22.html?nav=rss_sports/leaguesandsports/nba/19992000/washingtonwizards May 15, 2015 The Washington Post By the end of the season, the Wizards finished with a 37–45 record once again. At the age of 40, Jordan ended the season as the only Wizard to play in all 82 games. He averaged 20.0 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.5 steals in 37.0 minutes per game. He also became the only 40-year-old in NBA history to score over 40 points in a game,February 21, 2003 Jordan becomes oldest player in NBA history to score 40 or more points in a game https://www.upi.com/News_Photos/view/upi/626afacee2bc7ef7164728700a6567ab/Jordan-becomes-oldest-player-in-NBA-history-to-score-40-or-more-points-in-a-game/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20210518051814/https://www.upi.com/News_Photos/view/upi/626afacee2bc7ef7164728700a6567ab/Jordan-becomes-oldest-player-in-NBA-history-to-score-40-or-more-points-in-a-game/ May 18, 2021 May 18, 2021 United Press International which he did several times during the season.Michael Jordan 2002-03 Game Log https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jordami01/gamelog/2003 live https://web.archive.org/web/20210328071710/https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jordami01/gamelog/2003 March 28, 2021 May 18, 2021 Basketball-Reference.com In addition, Jordan became the oldest NBA player in NBA history to average at least 20 points at the age of 40.Leung Stewart May 8, 2018 The 25 oldest NBA players with the highest scoring averages (>20 ppg) https://www.interbasket.net/news/oldest-nba-players-with-highest-scoring-averages-20ppg/23635/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20241203041621/https://www.interbasket.net/news/oldest-nba-players-with-highest-scoring-averages-20ppg/23635/ December 3, 2024 May 18, 2021 Interbasket This was also the first season in which Jordan was not his team's high scorer, as Stackhouse averaged 21.5 per game. Jordan paced the team in steals (1.5 per game), while Christian Laettner led the team in rebounds (6.6), Stackhouse in assists (4.5) and Brendan Haywood in blocked shots (1.5). After the season, Wizards' majority owner Abe Pollin fired Jordan as team president, much to the shock of teammates, associates and fans alike. Jordan felt he was betrayed, thinking that he would get his ownership back after his playing days ended, but Pollin justified Jordan's dismissal by noting that Jordan had detrimental effects on the team, such as benching Larry Hughes for Tyronn Lue, making poor trades, and squandering the teams' first round pick at the 2001 NBA draft on high schooler Kwame Brown who never panned out. Despite the signing of future All-Star point guard Gilbert Arenas the team stumbled to a 25–57 record in the 2003–04 season. Jordan's stint with the Wizards was closely watched by both fans and the media. While the team failed to qualify for the playoffs in either of Jordan's two seasons as a player, despite the Wizards not being in the upper tiers of NBA standings, the team sold-out arenas around the league.Morrissey Rick September 10, 2009 His playing career ends -- with frustration, betrayal and flashes of brilliance http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2009-09-10/news/0909100001_1_wizards-player-endings-washington-wizards-president dead https://web.archive.org/web/20160508201242/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2009-09-10/news/0909100001_1_wizards-player-endings-washington-wizards-president May 8, 2016 Chicago Tribune The Wizards replaced Jordan's managerial role with general manager Ernie Grunfeld. Although the organization fielded a competitive team built around Arenas for several years, the team again stumbled into the lower echelon of the league in the years following Arenas' numerous off-the-court issues. WAS WAS Player statistics Regular season Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPGPPGKwame Brown 80 20 22.2 .446 .000 .668 5.3 .7 .6 1.0 7.4Brian Cardinal 5 0 3.0 .250 .000 1.000 1.0 .2 .0 .0 .8Juan Dixon 42 3 15.4 .384 .298 .804 1.7 1.0 .6 .1 6.4Anthony Goldwire† 5 0 6.8 .571 1.000 .800 .6 .2 .0 .0 2.6Brendan Haywood 81 69 23.8 .510 .633 5.0 .4 .4 1.5 6.2Larry Hughes 67 56 31.9 .467 .367 .731 4.6 3.1 1.3 .4 12.8Jared Jeffries 20 1 14.6 .476 .500 .552 2.9 .8 .4 .3 4.0Michael Jordan 82 67 37.0 .445 .291 .821 6.1 3.8 1.5 .5 20.0Christian Laettner 76 66 29.1 .494 .125 .833 6.6 3.1 1.1 .5 8.3Tyronn Lue 75 24 26.5 .433 .341 .875 2.0 3.5 .6 .0 8.6Charles Oakley 42 1 12.2 .418 .824 2.5 1.0 .3 .1 1.8Bryon Russell 70 23 19.8 .353 .329 .768 3.0 1.0 1.0 .1 4.5Bobby Simmons 36 2 10.5 .393 .000 .914 2.1 .6 .3 .1 3.3Jerry Stackhouse 70 70 39.2 .409 .290 .878 3.7 4.5 .9 .4 21.5Etan Thomas 38 0 13.5 .492 .638 4.3 .1 .2 .6 4.8Jahidi White 16 8 14.4 .472 .680 4.6 .1 .1 .8 4.2 † Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Wizards only. Player statistics citation: Award winners All-Star: Michael Jordan (14th) References Washington Wizards on Database Basketball Washington Wizards on Basketball Reference Category:Washington Wizards seasons Wash Wash Washington