Expectations for this Washington Mystics team were not high this season.
They were the youngest team in league history. The roster included eight rookies, three sophomores, and only two players with at least four years of experience.
Anticipations were that this would be a development season. But the Mystics played some tough games and showed real growth all season. Washington then became the youngest team in league history to make the playoffs.
Washington Mystics Exceed Expectations
Coach Sydney Johnson entered the year with bigger responsibility, acquiring control of the team’s basketball operations. All season, he talked about developing the roster. The team was able to have winning and development coexist.
Johnson expressed that it was a point in the season when he felt that the development of this team was ahead of the schedule he previously envisioned:
“I certainly feel like at that moment I thought, like, this may be moving a bit faster than I originally thought it would,” Johnson said in September. “But, you know, why hold them back?”
Shakira Austin’s Rise
Another big key for the team’s success was Shakira Austin. She missed only one game, and her stats improved across the board.
Austin changed how she recovers, helping her stay healthy this year and show what she can do on both ends of the court.
Austin showed she can lead this team. She has shown plenty of growth in how she approaches this leadership role on and off the court. Austin has been able to become a vocal presence for them.
Washington ranked 2nd in defensive rating (103.3) and 1st in rebounding at 37.7 per game. Austin finished tenth in the league in blocks per game at 1.2 and second in defensive win shares at 3.3. Austin was undoubtedly the team’s defensive anchor.
The Kitron Duo
Sophomores Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen were asked to do more for their teams, and they delivered. Each continued to grow and showcased what they can do during the playoffs.
Citron was asked to become more of a playmaker and led the team in assists per game at 4.4. During exit interviews, she noted that the area of growth she’s proud of is “Running point and being able to play on ball this season.”
She broke several records during her postseason run. Here are some of the accomplishments she achieved (provided by Mystics PR):
- Second player in franchise history to score 25+ points in back-to-back games.
- Second player in WNBA history to record consecutive 25+ point games in her first two career playoff games.
- First WNBA player to record multiple 25+ point/5+ rebound postseason games aged 22 years or younger.
Citron’s midrange game became her biggest weapon. She shot 56.3% on her two-point field goal attempts, up from the 48.6% she shot in her rookie year. From 16 feet to the three-point line, she shot 52.9%, an increase from her rookie season when she shot 36.4%.
Kiki Iriafen recorded 23 double-doubles this season, the most in franchise history for point/rebound double-doubles. She established herself as a star in this league, participating in her second All-Star game alongside Citron.
Her shooting percentages also improved, rising to 51.3% from the field and 33.3% from behind the arc. She was very conscious of floor spacing because she played in lineups that featured Austin and Lauren Betts.
Overall, the Mystics’ big three showed they are a force teams will have to deal with. All three are still in their 20s and haven’t even scratched the surface of their potential.
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