{"id":661041,"date":"2026-05-23T20:13:09","date_gmt":"2026-05-23T20:13:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/661041\/"},"modified":"2026-05-23T20:13:09","modified_gmt":"2026-05-23T20:13:09","slug":"young-mystics-squad-aims-to-get-in-sync-as-they-take-on-storm-field-level-media-professional-sports-content-solutions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/661041\/","title":{"rendered":"Young Mystics squad aims to get in sync as they take on Storm – Field Level Media – Professional sports content solutions"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Washington Mystics have proven to be a tough team to deal with in the paint this season, averaging around 47 points per contest.<\/p>\n

But in Monday\u2019s game against Dallas, the Mystics (2-2) struggled with it in a 92-69 loss and look to shake that performance off in Sunday\u2019s road matchup with the Seattle Storm (2-4).<\/p>\n

\u201cWe just didn\u2019t have enough recognition of what to do or where to go,\u201d center Shakira Austin told reporters after the game. \u201cSo, we just got to get back to practice and get all on the same page. I think we just were never really in sync when it came to that.\u201d<\/p>\n

But growing pains are to be expected for a Washington team that is the second youngest in WNBA history, sporting an average age of 24.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis group hasn\u2019t quite seen it all yet, in terms of the (WNBA),\u201d head coach Sydney Johnson said.<\/p>\n

The Storm ended a three-game losing streak Friday, beating Connecticut 77-59 behind career-high efforts from Zia Cooke and rookie Flau\u2019jae Johnson. Cooke poured in 25 off the bench, while Johnson scored 17.<\/p>\n

Cooke, who is in her fourth year in the league, had high praise for Johnson, the No. 8 overall pick of this year\u2019s draft.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe brings a lot of energy for us,\u201d Cooke said. \u201cI\u2019ve been watching her really dial in on knowing when to score and when to pass the ball and I just told somebody today in an interview she is our franchise player. She has got to step up every single night and kind of play like a vet. It\u2019s a lot of pressure but I\u2019m super proud of her.\u201d<\/p>\n

Johnson is averaging 11.8 points per game. Cooke is the team\u2019s second-leading scorer (12.3).<\/p>\n

For Washington, Austin scored 12 in the loss to Dallas and is the third-leading scorer on the team, averaging 16.3 ppg.<\/p>\n

Sonia Citron was limited to a season-low seven against the Wings and will look to get back on track. She\u2019s averaging a team-best 20 ppg. Kiki Iriafen was also held to a season low (nine) against Dallas, but is averaging 16.5 points and 12.8 rebounds per outing.<\/p>\n

\u2013Field Level Media<\/p>\n

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