The Washington Mystics have clinched the No. 5 seed in the WNBA playoffs after a decisive 101-93 victory over the Chicago Sky, sealing a first-round matchup against the No. 4 seed Atlanta Dream. This win on Thursday marked the conclusion of Washington’s regular season and sets up an intriguing postseason encounter.
Leading the charge for the Mystics was second-year guard Sonia Citron, who poured in 22 points to spearhead her team’s effort. Having earned All-Star honors in consecutive seasons, Citron now prepares to make her playoff debut.
Reflecting on the team’s progress, Citron highlighted the remarkable development from last year to this season, noting, “The sky’s the limit.” Her remarks underscore the growing confidence and momentum Washington carries into the postseason.
Atlanta’s Strength in Rebounding and Scoring
Washington’s opponent, the Atlanta Dream, will lean heavily on newly acquired star Angel Reese, who has been instrumental in elevating the team’s performance. Reese currently leads the WNBA with an average of 12.1 rebounds per game while also posting career-best numbers in scoring (16.4 points per game) and defensive plays, including 1.8 steals per game.
Atlanta’s coach, Karl Smesko, praised Reese’s development throughout the season, expressing pride in the strides she has made from the start to the end of the campaign. Reese’s presence will be a key factor as Atlanta aims to improve upon its semifinal appearance from last year.
The first-round playoff game between the Mystics and the Dream is scheduled for Sunday at 7 PM ET, with coverage available on Prime. Fans can expect a competitive battle as both teams vie for advancement in the postseason.