The Washington Mystics are on a late-season win streak, and after their latest win against the Atlanta Dream, the Seattle Storm’s 6-27 record makes their playoff hopes look dire. With the Mystics achieving multiple franchise records after their latest win, the team has delivered unfortunate news for the Storm, staring down the barrel of their first playoff miss in three years.
Following the Mystics’ 79-74 win on August 7 against the Dream, the team tied their franchise-best six-game winning record, which they had last achieved in 2019. That was also the season they won their first and only championship. As reporter Alexa Philippou noted on X, the Mystics’ win has mathematically eliminated the Storm from playoff contention. The Seattle Storm, who are currently placed last on the WNBA standings, are on a 10-game losing streak and are the first team to be knocked out of playoff contention this season, effectively ending their season.
Prior to this losing streak, the Storm also recorded an 11-game losing streak between May 27 and June 22, making them the first team in NBA history to record two double-digit losing streaks in a season. The Mystics tying their six-game win streak record from the past was the final nail in their coffin.
Unfortunately for the Storm, though, the elimination from the playoffs is just the latest setback in an already difficult season. After losing last season’s top five scorers in free agency (Nneka Ogwumike, Skylar Diggins, Gabby Williams, Brittney Sykes, and Erica Wheeler), the team rushed into a rebuild with new head coach Sonia Raman and sophomore #2 overall pick Dominique Malonga.
Despite Malonga breaking out as a star and earning her first All-Star selection, this season has not had many highlights. The French center averaged 16.9 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in the 24 games she played for the Seattle Storm this season. But it was not enough.
The team has been at the bottom of the standings for nearly the entire season, and now this last stretch is going to be utilized for development for Malonga and this year’s rookies, Awa Fam and Flau’jae Johnson. Both rookies have shown off promising potential as contributors both as starters and off the bench. It is also an opportunity for veteran guard Natisha Hiedeman to increase her value going into the final year of her contract.
While the Seattle Storm are no longer in contention for the playoffs, the Mystics’ recent performances make them a legitimate threat for a playoff berth.
Shakira Austin’s Late Bucket Seals Seattle Storm’s Playoff Fate
The Mystics’ win against the Dream has pushed them to 18-12, catapulting them to sixth in the standings – ahead of both the New York Liberty and the Dallas Wings – making them a strong contender for the playoffs.
The Mystics’ defense against the Dream was particularly impressive, with them finishing the game recording a franchise-record 12 blocks, nine of which came in the first half itself. They managed to hold the Dream’s offense to just 32% from the field and 29% from long range, including holding Angel Reese to a horrid 1-for-12 shooting.
Shakira Austin was a big standout from that game, logging an efficient 21 points and 11 rebounds. She accounted for five of the team’s 12 blocks and gave the Mystics an interior presence to rival the Dream’s. The center has been on fire lately, averaging 21.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks in her last 10 games while shooting 35.3% from three in that span.
Austin’s late-game charge against the Dream pushed the team to victory. She added nine points to the Mystics’ score in the fourth quarter and assisted Cassandre Prosper. Apart from her, the team also saw big contributions from Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron.
Washington also showcased their depth during the first half, when they started the game on a 13-3 run which saw five players score before going ballistic in the second quarter with a 10-3 run. By the time the half rolled around, the Mystics were up by 12. However, Atlanta wasn’t giving up.
Though her shot wasn’t falling, Angel Reese grabbed a monstrous 16 rebounds, while Allisha Gray led all scorers with 26 points and Rhyne Howard added 19. The main opportunity for the Dream came in the final three minutes.
With Washington holding a big lead, they missed four of 10 free throw attempts in the final 3 minutes, and the Dream managed to cut the deficit to a three-point lead with just 32 seconds left, putting the Mystics in upset territory.
Shakira Austin answered with a drive to the basket assisted by Iriafen with 9.7 seconds left, finishing to increase the lead to five.
Now, the Mystics will look to both defend their home court and extend their winning streak against the Phoenix Mercury on Sunday, August 9, while the Atlanta Dream will try to bounce back from a tough loss against the Toronto Tempo the next day.