Now three games back in the playoff race, what comes next for Washington’s WNBA team?

WASHINGTON — The Washington Mystics opened the season with hope to make their first playoff run since 2019 because of their young core. However, as the season went on and injuries prevailed, that young core showed why they might need more time before they can replicate that same energy from 2019. 


Where did it go wrong?

Arguably, Washington’s biggest downfall was trading Brittany Sykes to the Seattle Storm right before the trade deadline on Aug. 7 for Alysha Clark. Sykes averaged 15.4 points, 4.4 assists and 3.4 rebounds in just her 25 games with the Mystics. Sykes was their leading scorer besides rookie Sonia Citron, who averages 14.3 points per game. 

The Mystics held a 14-17 record and were 10th in the standings, but they still had a chance to make playoffs. They were two wins away from making it into the playoffs, but since trading Sykes they have moved to almost four games away from eighth place and making the playoffs. 

RELATED: Seattle Storm acquire All-Star guard Brittney Sykes in trade with Washington Mystics

Their schedule seems like a bleak road ahead with No. 5 New York Liberty on Thursday, Aug. 28, Golden State Valkyries on Aug. 30, Los Angles Sparks on Aug. 31, No. 4 Phoenix Mercury on Sept. 4 and their final game being Sept. 7 against Indiana Fever which will be played in Baltimore.

The Mystics record this season against their next five opponents: 

No. 5 New York Liberty: 0-2

Golden State Valkyries: 0-3 

No. 4 Phoenix Mercury: 0-2

Two wins seem likely for the Mystics but the two teams above them in the standings would need to lose all of their games for the Mystics to have a chance and the Mystics would need to win all five of their games. One of those teams they need to lose out is the Storm and the other is the Sparks. 

Their chances of making it to the post season aren’t impossible but they are incredibility slim especially as they are on a current four game losing streak.


Where should they go?

The Mystics have a lot of room to grow from this season and that includes having a total of six 2026 draft picks with three just in the first-round. The 2026 draft class could be just as loaded as the 2025. 

Lauren Betts, Azzi Fudd, and Olivia Miles are just the few names that could declare for the draft come next year. 

Draft order has not yet been determined but with the Mystics loading up on draft picks it seems like they have the same potential to load up on young talent like they did last year. There are plenty of guards that the Mystics can choose from to mold their front court to better support Citron and Georgia Amoore who will be coming back from a torn ACL. 

Alysha Clark Stefanie DolsonShakira AustinJade MelbourneEmily Engstler 

With six total draft picks, it’s likely that most of their free agents will be searching for new teams come 2026. 

The Mystics are, arguably, heading in the right direction for having such a young team, but they still need experience that many teams at the top have.Â