1 WNBA was just eliminated from playoff race — but the future is bright

The Washington Mystics — losers of 6 straight games — have officially been eliminated from playoff contention. The Mystics, who have a 16-24 record, are 5 games behind the Golden State Valkyries for the 8th seed and are no longer in the playoff mix, thanks to Saturday’s 99-62 loss to the Valkyries.

Still, the future of the Mystics is as bright as ever.

The team’s first-round rookie selections have put together sensational seasons; No. 3 pick Sonia Citron is averaging 15.2 points on 47.1% shooting (and 43.1% from three), while No. 4 pick Kiki Iriafen is averaging 12.9 points and 8.5 rebounds. Both have exceeded expectations and are having stronger rookie campaigns in the WNBA than most projected.

And, it’s not just Citron and Iriaifen. Under new head coach Sydney Johnson, Shakira Austin has found her footing in the frontcourt; the 25-year-old forward is having the best season of her career, averaging 12.7 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. Guard Sug Sutton, who is a restricted free agent this offseason, has also had a career year, averaging 7.6 points and 3.8 assists.

In addition to Citron, Iriafen, and Austin, the Mystics have point guard Georgia Amoore under contract, who missed her rookie season with a torn ACL but could be just the playmaker the team needs next season. Amoore, the undersized point guard who was the 6th pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, has been visibly recovering from surgery and could come in next year and make an immediate impact.

The Mystics traded away their best chance at making the playoffs when they shipped Brittney Sykes to the Seattle Storm ahead of the trade deadline. Sykes, who reportedly requested a trade, was the team’s leading scorer this season, but didn’t fit Washington’s rebuilding timeline. In exchange, they acquired the Storm’s first-round pick for next season, which they can use to draft yet another high-impact player.

The Mystics also have a strong draft stash for the upcoming season. As it currently stands, per Tankathon, they’d have the No. 4, No. 9, and No. 11 picks in next year’s draft — though records aren’t solidified and the WNBA lottery is still months away.

And, in 2027, the Mystics have their own draft pick as well as the rights to a pick swap with the Chicago Sky, thanks to the offseason’s Ariel Atkins trade.

This offseason, the Mystics will have to protect six players ahead of the Toronto Tempo’s expansion draft. Who they will choose to protect remains to be seen, though Iriafen, Citron, Amoore, and Austin all seem like no-brainer selections.

After the Mystics traded away Sykes, it became clear that making the playoffs this season was unlikely to be a priority.

But ultimately, the Mystics’ late-season fall in the standings could be a blessing in disguise, as it will increase their lottery odds for the upcoming 2026 Draft.

At the same time, Citron, Iriafen, and the other members of the young Washington core accrued meaningful winning experience this past season, positioning them well for future success in the WNBA.