The Washington Wizards woes continued on Sunday night with arguably the team's worst loss of the season.
At 1-12, being blown out isn't a new low for the Wizards, but being blown out by a team who's fighting alongside you in the sweepstakes for the No. 1 overall pick is.
For the Wizards, the talent level compared to a team like the Brooklyn Nets seems just a bit different on paper.
Washington has a revamped depth chart, multiple emerging young stars and several veterans on the roster that the team hoped could change the development of the Wizards moving forward.
Instead, a trying start to the regular season has put the Wizards in a position they didn't want to be in a pivotal year to their rebuilding process.
Taking a step back was never on the team's schedule entering the season, and doing so in the way they have has been disheartening for not only the fanbase, but the coaching staff.
More specifically, head coach Brian Keefe.
Following the team's 129-106 loss to the Nets, the Wizards head coach didn't just treat the defeat like another loss on the schedule
Instead, Keefe made his disappointment in his team's efforts clear postgame and made it a point of emphasis to send a message to the team.
That message? Keefe challenged his players to take a look in the mirror.
Following Keefe's postgame comments, players were asked about the message the head coach sent to the locker room.
Second-year man and emerging star Kyshawn George made it clear exactly what the team's leader spoke about postgame.
"Look at yourselves in the mirror and ask yourself some deeper questions" George said when talking about Keefe's comments. "It’s more than basketball; what you really want in life, what you want to build, what we want to do as an organization."
Considering those comments, it's increasingly clear that Keefe has met his breaking point with the team's lackluster efforts to start the season.
It's one thing to drop games solely due to lack of talent, but when it comes down to failed execution and lack of effort, the struggles turn eyes on the coaching staff who's expected to have the team ready to play.
Keefe's challenge could turn things around in Washington for the better, but if it doesn't, there's no doubt the Wizards will be headed towards a top pick in the 2026 NBA Draft with little to no foundation built.