Zac Boyer

Wizards’ return to postseason is a rewarding moment for Randy Wittman, players

At last, Randy Wittman and the Wizards have broken through. Their 118-92 victory over the Boston Celtics on Wednesday allowed them to clinch a spot in the playoffs for the first time in six years, and they'll play their final seven games, beginning Friday on the road against the New York Knicks, comforted by their accomplishment.

April 3, 2014

Wizards top Celtics, clinch first playoff appearance in six years

John Wall had his hands in the air, celebrating, enjoying the moment on the Verizon Center floor when he walked over to his coach, Randy Wittman, and gave him a hug. For Wall, four years had been too long to go without a feeling like this. Six years after they made their last appearance, the Washington Wizards clinched a spot in the playoffs on Wednesday, thrashing the Boston Celtics, 118-92.

April 2, 2014

Redskins putting up to $24 million worth of faith into DeSean Jackson

By adding DeSean Jackson, the Redskins have gained one of the top receivers in the game – a elite deep threat who has averaged 60 receptions and more than 1,000 receiving yards in the six seasons since Philadelphia drafted him in the second round out of California in 2008.

April 2, 2014

It’s getting late early for Capitals’ fading playoff chances

"If somehow we make the playoffs playing like this, who are we kidding?" said coach Adam Oates. "We have to figure out a way to get better."

April 2, 2014

Careless mistakes doom Capitals in deflating home loss to Stars

An unlikely pair of victories in California two weeks ago had John Carlson thinking the Washington Capitals were playing their best hockey in several years. Things have changed mightily since, punctuated by a 5-0 loss to the Dallas Stars at Verizon Center on Tuesday.

April 1, 2014

Waiting on DeSean: Jackson, Redskins still in limbo

Several other teams, including the Buffalo Bills, Oakland Raiders and San Francisco 49ers, are reportedly also interested in Jackson, who failed to mesh with the Eagles' new coaching staff last season and was jettisoned despite catching 82 passes for 1,332 yards and nine touchdowns, all team and career highs.

April 1, 2014

Ryan Clark, Redskins reportedly reach 1-year deal

Clark and his representatives had been discussing the parameters of a contract since he first visited Redskins Park on March 13, two days after the free agent signing period opened.

March 31, 2014

Redskins sign Mike McGlynn; offensive lineman spent last two seasons with Colts

The Washington Redskins announced Friday afternoon they have signed offensive lineman Mike McGlynn, who spent the last two seasons with the Indianapolis Colts.

March 28, 2014

BASEBALL 2014: Mike Trout, Angels focused on October

The awards, the accolades, the titles. Mike Trout has had his fair share of success during his first two full seasons with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, but the center fielder hasn't been able to avoid a feeling of emptiness each fall.

March 27, 2014

BASEBALL 2014: Rookie managers make up for inexperience with modern thinking

It makes little sense for a franchise looking to break from a period of stagnation — years that likely led to a managerial change in the first place — to bring in a manager who was unsuccessful in previous stints.

March 27, 2014

Situation in his native Ukraine challenges Alex Len as he adjusts to life in NBA

Alex Len, the former Maryland center drafted by the Phoenix Suns in June, has faced his share of adjustments over the past nine months. Speaking before the Suns’ eventual 99-93 victory over the Washington Wizards at Verizon Center on Wednesday, it was clear coming to terms with the situation back home has been the biggest challenge.

March 27, 2014

Despite falling down 25, Wizards nearly claw back in loss to Suns

Coming off a flat, four-game Western Conference road trip in which the Washington Wizards surrendered more than 100 points each night, coach Randy Wittman emphasized the importance of playing defense – especially as it pertains to a late surge toward the postseason. Part of playing defense, Wittman surmised, is intensity. And for much of the Wizards' 99-93 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday, any required intensity was sorely lacking.

March 26, 2014

Redskins’ Daniel Snyder starts foundation to aid Native Americans

The Washington Redskins Original Americans Foundation "will serve as a living, breathing legacy — and an ongoing reminder — of the heritage and tradition that is the Washington Redskins," Snyder wrote in a letter distributed by e-mail Monday night.

March 25, 2014

Dick Heller, longtime Washington Times sports columnist, dead at 76

Heller joined The Washington Times in 1986, and he became a columnist in the early 1990s. He remained with the newspaper until it folded its sports section in December 2009, then contributed bi-weekly columns for a time after the section returned in March 2011.

March 20, 2014

After long road home, GW’s Maurice Creek has chance to dance

Creek, a 23-year-old graduate student, led the Colonials in scoring with 14.3 points per game, hoping all season he would once again play in an NCAA tournament game after an injury-marred career at Indiana.

March 19, 2014

Andre Roberts anticipates consistency in Redskins move

The receiver had his most productive NFL season in 2012, when he caught 64 passes for 759 yards and five touchdowns — all career highs, and all while playing with four different Arizona Cardinals quarterbacks.

March 18, 2014

2014 NCAA tournament: No. 1 seed Virginia has plenty of company among area teams

The Cavaliers (28-6, 16-2 ACC), who were last a No. 1 seed when the tournament had 52 teams in 1983, will open tournament play in the East Region with a game against No. 16 seed Coastal Carolina, the Big South champion, in Raleigh, N.C. on Friday.

March 16, 2014

Tracy Porter, Jason Hatcher, Darryl Sharpton set to join Redskins

Cornerback Tracy Porter, defensive end Jason Hatcher and inside linebacker Darryl Sharpton all approved contracts with the Redskins that they will likely sign on Friday, while the team also announced it has signed defensive end Clifton Geathers.

March 13, 2014

Redskins’ secondary holes remain unfilled amid NFL free-agent frenzy

Cornerbacks Aqib Talib, Alterraun Verner and Vontae Davis, and free safeties Jairus Byrd and Malcolm Jenkins all agreed to big-money, long-term contracts on Tuesday — some with new teams, some with their former teams.

March 12, 2014

Redskins bypass big splash - for now - as free agency period begins

Entering a normal start to free agency for the first time in five years, the Washington Redskins began spending their $18 million in salary cap space fairly wisely Tuesday, eschewing the big splash in the early hours in favor of quality reinforcements for a team that went 3-13 last season.

March 11, 2014