Washington earned a franchise-record 28 regular season wins in a breakthrough 2026 campaign.
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For most of Wednesday’s postgame news conference, Kiki Iriafen stared dejectedly at the ground. She struggled to find words after what had just happened.
The Washington Mystics suffered a season-ending loss to the Atlanta Dream at CareFirst Arena. Iriafen, still donning her crimson jersey and white headband, wasn’t looking to talk. “Kiki, you haven’t answered one [question],” fellow starter Sonia Citron said midway through the news conference, pushing Iriafen to chime in.
The forward shook her head and looked away. She didn’t speak until the final question was directed specifically at her.
“I thought I could escape without talking, but I guess not,” Iriafen said, finally cracking a smile. “I’m still wrapping my mind through everything. It doesn’t feel real.”
That sense of disbelief was contagious among Washington’s players after its historic season came to a screeching halt in a first-round sweep at the hands of the Dream. The Mystics haven’t won a playoff game in nearly seven years. But they’re primed to potentially snap that drought next season after exceeding expectations with the WNBA’s youngest roster in 2026.
Washington won a franchise-best 28 regular season games. After beginning the season 12-12, it went 16-4 over the next 20 games to reach the postseason for the first time since 2023. It flipped a 16-28 record in 2025 to a 28-16 mark in 2026.
“I truly believe we have a really special group,” Citron said. “Just to see the growth from last year to this year has been amazing.”
The Mystics’ average age is 24. Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, who Washington claimed off waivers midseason, was the team’s only player over 27. At 32, Laney-Hamilton was one of just three players with previous playoff experience.
Shakira Austin was another.
The 26-year-old center averaged a career-high 17 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists, also becoming a vocal leader as she was finally healthy. While Austin surrendered eight turnovers and shot 35 percent across two postseason games, she showed Washington made the right decision when it matched the Toronto Tempo’s three-year, $3.57 million contract offer in April.
Austin finished second for the most improved player of the year award in a result Coach Sydney Johnson called “really disappointing.”
“Somebody tell me how we got here if we don’t have good coaching and we don’t have good players,” he said, referencing the team’s lack of recognition. “Help me figure this out.”
Austin and Iriafen became the first teammates to each average at least 9.5 rebounds per game as the Mystics broke the all-time single-season rebound record. The interior was their largest area of strength. Washington averaged the most free throw attempts and second-most paint points per game.
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Iriafen and Citron each played a key role in the success.
Iriafen averaged 15.3 points and 9.6 rebounds and Citron averaged 16.8 points and 4.4 assists. The pair of former top-five draft picks each made the All-Star Game for the second time in two seasons. And they delivered in their first playoff experience.
Iriafen notched the first 15-plus point, 15-plus rebound postseason effort in Washington history Wednesday. Citron became the second WNBA player to record 25-plus points in her first two playoff games.
“I love that [Citron] and I get to achieve all of these milestones together,” Iriafen said.
Building a strong cast around Iriafen, Citron and Austin is the next step for Washington — with point guard probably the largest position of need.
After missing her rookie season with a torn ACL, Georgia Amoore patrolled the Mystics’ backcourt alongside Citron. She averaged 7.0 points and 3.4 assists, also shooting 35.2 percent from three-point range for Washington, which was the league’s second-worst shooting team from beyond the arc.
“At the start of the season, I had to act like I belonged,” Amoore said. “I struggled a lot during the year, knowing I had to be better than I was.”
The Mystics could look to free agency for a veteran guard. Four-time all-star Kelsey Mitchell, 30, will be a free agent, though the Indiana Fever may attempt to keep her alongside star Caitlin Clark. Another option could be Jackie Young, 29, of the defending champion Las Vegas Aces after she averaged a career-best 18.9 points per game in 2026.
Washington will also have a lottery pick in the draft thanks to a pick-swap with the Chicago Sky.
Guard Cotie McMahon and center Lauren Betts amassed strong rookie campaigns off the bench for the Mystics, while starter Michaela Onyenwere, 27, shot a team-high 39.5 percent from three-point range.
“Coming in, young team, not really knowing what to expect,” Onyenwere said. “We were able to adjust to really hard things … it was a very special year.”
Washington made history in 2026. It reinvigorated its fan base. Multiple players had breakout seasons. The team gained crucial postseason experience.
The foundation has been laid. Becoming a legitimate championship contender is the next step.
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