The excitement surrounding the 2025 WNBA Draft continued into the Washington Mystics' training camp, where a new era of talent offered tangible hope for a rebuild in the nation’s capital. This optimism, however, suffered a blow less than a week into camp when rookie guard and No. 6 overall pick Georgia Amoore suffered an ACL injury that will most likely keep her out for the season given the necessary recovery time.
Amoore's injury sent sadness and disappointment throughout the Mystics organization and its fanbase, who were already anticipating the rollercoaster season that comes with committing fully to a rebuild. Beyond the on court implications, there's the human and emotional aspect to Amoore’s injury, it is difficult to see a rookie get hurt before they can even play a professional game. While many players, including No. 1 draft pick Paige Bueckers, fully recover from ACL injuries, even multiple ones, the Mystics will need to make immediate adjustments to their lineup rotations this season. Amoore was envisioned as a driver for the Mystics' uptempo playing style and her absence means there is a void in several areas including playmaking, ball-handling, scoring, and experience at the guard spot after five years playing in college.
Despite this setback, the Mystics have many options at their disposal for this season including giving increased minutes to current players rostered, including Sonia Citron, the No. 3 overall pick. Veteran guard Brittany Sykes will likely take on an even more significant role in the backcourt, alongside Jade Melbourne, who showed strong potential last season and in the recent preseason game against the Atlanta Dream. In the same preseason matchup against Atlanta, the Mystics under new coach Sydney Johnson pushed a faster pace and emphasized strong on-ball defense, which will only be more apparent when their dominating post players in Aaliyah Edwards and Shakira Austin are fully healthy and can team up with rookie Kiki Iriafen to score in transition and defend the paint. It is hard not to be excited about the size and strength this team has and once the guard piece comes together, the Mystics will be an exciting team to watch.
While Amoore’s injury is significant, it's important to remember her future with the Mystics. This time away allows her to rest and fully rehab her knee after an outstanding but physically taxing college career. Her return next season will strengthen what will be a more solidified and experienced team.
This season will be a challenge as rebuilds always are, but it is also an opportunity for young players to develop, strengthening the team's overall depth and future potential to attract incoming free agents. D.C. could be an intriguing idea for a veteran player looking to lead a young team to a championship. If the draft odds shake out, perhaps we'll even see D.C. native Azzi Fudd join fellow UConn legend Breanna Stewart in a Mystics jersey, leading an already talented roster to a championship, their first since 2019 (this could just be me projecting my wishful thinking but who knows!).
Mystics fans will no doubt want to still win this season, embracing the journey and focusing on tangible progress will be key for such a young team. But this season is not a throwaway year, rather a necessary step on the Washington Mystics' path toward becoming a team that can deliver multiple championships.