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Mystics and Wings Aim to Turn Around First Round Losses
Confirmed
In Short: In their first playoff games since 2023, the Washington Mystics and Dallas Wings suffered losses Sunday, with the Mystics falling 92-77 to the Atlanta Dream and the Wings losing 104-80 to the Golden State Valkyries.
Coach Sydney Johnson of the Mystics noted that despite the loss, his team, which included five first-round draft picks, performed well overall.
Wings coach Jose Fernandez emphasized the importance of effort, stating, 'The score should not dictate your effort.
For the Mystics, the game turned around in the third quarter when the Dream scored 29 points while the Mystics managed only 12.
The Wings struggled to keep up with Golden State's strong defense and prolific shooting, which included a franchise-record 18 3-pointers.
Both teams must now win at home Wednesday to avoid being eliminated in the first round.
Shakira Austin is the only player remaining from the Mystics' 2023 team that lost in the first round, while the Wings' roster has seen significant changes.
The Mystics and Wings will need strong performances from their young talent, including first-round draft picks Sonia Citron, Kiki Iriafen, Paige Bueckers, and Aziaha James, to turn their fortunes around.
Bueckers noted that the Wings' poor offensive performance impacted their defense, a critical area for improvement if they hope to extend the series.
The Mystics' second-year players, Citron and Iriafen, acknowledged the need to maintain their strong first-half play into the second half.
With home court advantage, both teams have a chance to bounce back and stay alive in the playoffs.
The Mystics and Wings must now focus on correcting their mistakes and capitalizing on their home games to avoid elimination.
What this adds
The Mystics and Wings must address their defensive lapses and improve their offensive output to have a chance in the next game.
The teams' young players will be crucial in determining whether they can turn their fortunes around.
The home court advantage could be a significant factor in the outcome of the upcoming games.
What's confirmed
- When the first round of 2026 WNBA Playoffs begin, these are the head-to-head matchups that could shape each series.
- The top eight teams – the Minnesota Lynx, Golden State Valkyries, Las Vegas Aces, Atlanta Dream, Indiana Fever, New York Liberty, Washington Mystics and Dallas Wings – are locked into the postseason.
What's still developing
- In Sunday's playoff openers, the Mystics fell 92-77 at Atlanta, and the Wings lost 104-80 at Golden State.
- Washington led by five at halftime, but the game turned around with the Dream's huge 29-12 third-quarter surge.
- The 2023 Wings, who won their first round series before being swept in the semifinals, featured Arike Ogunbowale, Odyssey Sims, Maddy Siegrist and Awak Kuier, although neither Siegrist and Kuier received significant minutes.
- The Wings endured a more discouraging performance, as they were absolutely steamrolled by the Golden State Valkyries.
- The Washington Mystics beat the Chicago Sky which, combined with the Indiana Fever 's rout by the Lynx, earned the Mystics the No.
- After last season’s first-round elimination, New York’s leadership chose to fire championship-winning head coach Sandy Brondello and import Chris DeMarco from the NBA in order to implement more innovative strategies.
- In the comments, give your first thoughts about the four first-round showdowns.
- Late game results across the league reshuffled final seeding positions for the Washington Mystics and Indiana Fever.
- Pending Thursday's results, the Dream will host either the Indiana Fever or Washington Mystics.
- The Valkyries, Aces, Fever and Mystics are looking to solidify their playoff seeding.
- If the Fever lose and the Mystics defeat the Chicago Sky, Washington would claim the No.
- 5 Mystics Thornton made two more free throws, and though Burrell answered with a corner three at the buzzer, it didn't matter because the Valks were up by four.