Preview: Fifth-Seed Mystics Face Fourth-Seed Dream In First-Round Of Playoffs

Jonae Guest / WINsports

The Washington Mystics closed out the 2026 regular season on a high note, defeating the Chicago Sky 101-93 at Capital One Arena. The victory gave the Mystics a franchise record of 28 wins, finishing second in the Eastern Conference Division.

Guard Sonia Citron led Washington with 21 points, while forwards Kiki Iriafen and Michela Onyenwere each added 16 points. The victory marked the Mystics' return to Capital One Arena for a season finale, after last playing their final home game in 2024 against the Indiana Fever.

The win capped a historic regular season for the Mystics, one that not only set a new franchise record but also secured the team its playoff position.

Washington entered the final day of the regular season with a chance to lock up the No. 5 seed in the playoffs. Their victory over Chicago, combined with Indiana's loss to the Minnesota Lynx, officially secured the fifth spot in the postseason. With the seeding finalized, the Mystics will face No. 4-seeded Atlanta Dream in the first round on Sunday, Sept. 27. The matchup will bring Washington back to the playoff stage for the first time since 2023.

The Mystics enter the postseason with the youngest roster and as

one of the league's most athletic teams. Washington has built their identity around physicality, length, and defense, as they finished the regular season ranked second in the WNBA in both defense and points allowed.

A large part of that success has come from the leadership and verteran play of Shakira Austin and Michaela Onyenwere, complemented by a promising young core of Kiki Iriafen, Sonia Citron, Lauren Betts, and Cotie McMahon. The Mystics also have six first-round picks from the past two drafts on the roster and added veteran guard Betnijah Laney-Hamilton off waivers in early August. Laney-Hamilton brings another layer of experience to the Mystics' young core.

Citron has emerged as one of Washington's top perimeter defenders, while Laney-Hamilton brings additional defensive experience as a two-time All-Defensive selection. On the offensive side, Citron and Iriafen have continued to established themselves as key pieces. Both are two-time All-Stars and were selected to represent Team USA at the FIBA World Cup.

But all season long, the heartbeat of Washington has been Shakira Austin. The star center heads into the postseason averaging 17.9 points per game, with 13 20-plus point performances, and 20 double-double performances. Her breakout campaign has firmly put her name in the Most Improved Player conversation.

Georgia Amoore is one that could have a significant impact for Washington in the postseason. The 2025 sixth overall pick missed her true rookie season after suffering a torn ACL injury in training camp. She returned to start every game in 2026, and her production has increased as the season progressed. Amoore recently has found her three-point shot and become more comfortable directing Washington's offense.

Washington's biggest postseason disadvantage is its lack of playoff experience. The Mystics became the youngest team in WNBA history to reach the postseason, but only Austin, Onyenwere, and Laney-Hamilton have previous playoff experience.

Meanwhile, the Atlanta Dream is looking to make its first WNBA Finals appearance since 2013. The Dream have reached the Finals three times since joining the league in 2008, but have yet to win a championship. Atlanta finished the regular season as one of the league's strongest teams on both sides of the ball.

The Dream ranked fourth in both offense and defense ratings, making them one of only two teams to finish in the top five in both categories. Angel Reese, Rhyne Howard, and Allisha Gray headline Atlanta's core. Reese has been the anchor of the Dream's defense, leading the WNBA in defensive win shares and ranking fourth in defensive rating. She also remains as one of Atlanta's primary rebounders.

Howard enters the playoffs averaging career-best numbers in both scoring and three-point shooting, while also leading the league in steals at 2.3 per game. Gray is entering the playoffs shooting 46% from the field, while posting a career high in scoring. Jordan Canada is one that could have a significant impact for the Dream in the postseason.

In her ninth season, Canada is averaging 11.6 points per game and career best of 7.3 assists per game which is ranked third in the league. She also ranks second in the league behind Howard in steals at 1.9 per game. Her ability to create scoring opportunities and control the flow of the game could play a major role against Washington's defense.

Atlanta's biggest postseason disadvantage is its bench production. Four of the Dream's starters average at least 30 minutes and double-digit scoring, while the team's bench ranks second-to-last in the WNBA in scoring. The addition of DeWanna Bonner at the trade deadline provides additional experience in production, but Atlanta may need the emergence of other contributors as the series progresses.

Sunday's tip-off at State Farm Arena is set for 7 p.m. ET. The postseason matchup will air on ESPN.