League: WNBA Sport: Basketball Country: United States Category: Scores & Results

Washington Mystics strive for playoff push, rally after early season struggles

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 12, 2026, 10:04 PM

Last updated Aug 12, 2026

Washington Mystics strive for playoff push, rally after early season struggles

Summary

The Washington Mystics continue their push towards the WNBA playoffs, currently in sixth place with an 11-4 record since June 26. After a 78-70 loss to the Las Vegas Aces on August 12, their seven-game winning streak ended. Coach Sydney Johnson attributes the team's success to strong locker room relationships and a competitive spirit. They have at least one win against every playoff-position team, and the addition of veteran Betnijah Laney-Hamilton has bolstered the roster. Star player Shakira Austin leads with 16.3 points and 9.5 rebounds per game.

Source Links

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By the Numbers

•Mystics rank sixth in the WNBA standings.
•They went 11-4 after a rocky start at 8-9.
•Coach Sydney Johnson emphasizes team humility and communication.
•Shakira Austin is the team leader in scoring and rebounding.
•Betnijah Laney-Hamilton debuted with the team on August 12.

Latest Updates

10:04 PMYahoo Sports — Young Mystics relying on strong bonds to improve while making push toward postseason

What they're saying

"
Sydney Johnson remembers the camaraderie he felt as a player at Princeton, and the respect he had for coach Pete Carril and the Tigers’ coaching staff. The growth is showing in Washington. The Mystics are one of the hottest teams in the WNBA, and despite having their seven-game winning streak snapped Tuesday by the defending champion Las Vegas Aces, they're in the thick of the playoff race.
— Yahoo Sportsby W.G. RAMIREZ

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