Washington Mystics Clinch First WNBA Playoff Berth Since 2023

The young Washington Mystics have clinched a playoff berth for the first time under head coach Sydney Johnson, marking the franchise's first postseason appearance in three seasons.

Washington clinched its first playoff berth since 2023 with a 105-100 victory over the Portland Fire, improving its record to 22-15. The Mystics also received help from the Chicago Sky losing to the Indiana Fever.

Forward Shakira Austin led the team in scoring with a career-high 31 points, shooting 11-for-18 from the field and 9-for-13 from the charity stripe. She also grabbed 10 rebounds with one steal and two blocks.

Currently, Washington sits seventh in the league standings, with a chance to move up or hold its position depending on the outcomes of its remaining games.

Johnson was hired as head coach of the Mystics in December 2024 and brought new energy and a new style of play to the franchise. Before he became head coach, Eric Thibault coached the team for two seasons.

Before Eric coached the Mystics, his father, Mike Thibault, coached the team for 10 seasons and helped the franchise capture its first championship in 2019. Now in Johnson's second season, he has helped the team return to the playoffs.

Washington started the season slowly but climbed back to .500. As the season went on, the team continued to gel with one of the youngest rosters in the league.

The Mystics are 22-15 after Sunday's victory and have seven games remaining. The team has a chance to move up in the standings with a strong finish and some help from other teams.

Washington's young roster gives the organization several players to develop for the future. During the 2026 WNBA Draft, the Mystics selected center Lauren Betts (No. 4), forward Angela Dugalić (No. 9), forward Cotie McMahon (No. 11), guard Cassandre Prosper (No. 19), guard-forward Darianna Littlepage-Buggs (No. 30), and guard Rori Harmon (No. 34). All six remain with Washington.

This season, Austin, guard Sonia Citron, and forwards Michaela Onyenwere and Kiki Iriafen have taken their games to another level. The team also added guard-forward Betnijah Laney-Hamilton after she cleared waivers following her release from the New York Liberty.

Austin (17.0), Citron (16.9), and Iriafen (15.2) are the top three scorers on the team, while the roster has contributed collectively.

Of the Mystics' seven remaining games, only one is against a team currently above .500. However, Washington will play the Phoenix Mercury in back-to-back games before facing the Indiana Fever later in the season.