The Washington Mystics were eliminated from the WNBA playoffs Wednesday night with a 93-75 loss to the Atlanta Dream in Game 2 of their first-round series.
But for fans who spoke with WTOP at CareFirst Arena, there was plenty worth celebrating.
Brandy Flowers attended the game and said the Mystics bring pride to D.C.
“They play with so much passion, and they work so hard,” she said. “So it just brings everyone out to support them.”
Flowers believes other teams could learn something from the Mystics’ rebuilding process.
On her way to the arena, Valerie Westney, of Maryland, spoke about what the players mean to the next generation.
“It’s an inspiration to young kids,” Westney said. “It’s just really important for them to see women doing this.”
Ten-year-old Olivia Johnson is one of those kids. She has been a Mystics fan since she was five. The young basketball player from Northern Virginia dreams of playing for the team.
“I think the team is good because they have great coaches and a lot of discipline,” Olivia said.
Her favorite player, Shakira Austin, finished Wednesday’s game with 9 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal.
Olivia’s father, Darius, said this was their third or fourth game of the season.
“This is one of the best fan experiences you’re gonna have here in Washington, D.C.,” he said.
Holly McGinnis brought three of her five daughters from Boonsboro, Maryland.
“I’m like trying to teach my kids to love basketball,” McGinnis said. “Plus, this is like our hometown team.”
McGinnis played guard from elementary school through high school, and when WTOP asked whether she imagined as a little girl that there would be a women’s professional basketball league, she laughed.
“No, I started with boys,” she said.
Now, she can bring her daughters to watch women play at the highest level.
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