The Washington Mystics’ historic 28-win regular season came to an abrupt end Wednesday with a 93-75 loss to the Atlanta Dream in the first round of the WNBA playoffs at CareFirst Arena. The defeat completed a two-game sweep by Atlanta, marking a disappointing finish for a franchise that set a new standard during the regular season.
Washington struggled from the opening minutes, falling behind early after Atlanta guard Allisha Gray executed a four-point play while the Mystics managed just two points in the first three minutes. The team tried to rally throughout the game and briefly cut the deficit to two points early in the fourth quarter. However, a critical 13-0 run by the Dream, combined with three offensive fouls committed by Washington within a two-minute span, effectively ended the contest.
Coach Sydney Johnson expressed deep disappointment with the outcome but acknowledged the significance of the season for the team and its supporters. “I’m immensely disappointed for the result,” Johnson said. “But I also think what this group has accomplished and how the D.C. community has rallied around this group has been amazing. They’ve written history.”
Sonia Citron led Washington with 25 points, while second-year starter Kiki Iriafen added a double-double with 15 points and 16 rebounds. Center Shakira Austin, whose breakout campaign raised expectations, managed just nine points in the loss. Despite being the best rebounding team in WNBA history, the Mystics outrebounded the Dream by 15 but were undone by 19 turnovers and 27 fouls called against them. The two teams combined for 53 fouls, with frustrations about officiating evident throughout the game.
Washington came into the contest leading the league in free throw attempts per game, a stat mirrored by Atlanta, who also capitalized on free throws early on. Both teams’ physical play led to frequent whistle stoppages, fueling visible frustration for the Mystics. Johnson singled out the officiating in Game 1 as particularly poor and maintained his skepticism of some calls Friday.
The first half saw Atlanta build a 41-35 lead, with every Dream starter scoring at least six points. Iriafen’s consistent performance anchored Washington, while Austin and Citron together put up modest first-half numbers. Washington’s offense struggled to find rhythm from beyond the arc, converting just seven three-pointers on the night compared to Atlanta’s 13. The Dream’s outside shooting repeatedly stymied Washington’s attempts to close the gap.
Despite the loss, the Mystics received a spirited ovation from the home crowd as their starters exited in the final moments. Several notable figures, including former Mystics MVP Elena Delle Donne and Washington Wizards players Anthony Davis and AJ Dybantsa, were in attendance to support the team.
Johnson, who was a strong candidate for coach of the year, expressed frustration over recent awards, as Dallas’ Jessica Shepard took home the most improved player honor and Cheryl Reeve of the Minnesota Lynx won coach of the year for the fifth time. “We don’t win any kind of awards for our players. How did we get here then? Somebody explain that to me,” Johnson said.
The Mystics’ playoff loss extends the franchise’s title drought. Their last championship came nearly seven years ago in 2019, when Delle Donne was an integral part of the squad that clinched the title on home court. This season’s early exit, despite the record-setting regular season, leaves the team searching for answers heading into the offseason.