As the All-Star break nears, the midpoint of the WNBA season serves as a check-in for the playoff race. While plenty of games remain, the battle for the final playoff spot is always undeniably intense. Currently, the Indiana Fever hold the eighth seed, but right behind them are the Washington Mystics. What makes this particular race so compelling is that few, if any, expected the Mystics to be genuine contenders after Elena Delle Donne's retirement, welcoming a new general manager and coach, and integrating multiple rookies into a new team system.
Meanwhile, the Fever, despite dominating headlines with high-profile acquisitions as well as the perpetual buzz around Caitlin Clark, haven't quite lived up to their preseason expectations. But the Mystics possess a formidable, yet often understated, weapon in their arsenal: Shakira Austin.
Her recent performances and impact on both ends of the court make her the true X-Factor capable of tipping the scales in Washington's favor and launching them into the postseason. After battling a challenging stretch of injuries, Austin is finally healthy and showcasing the full potential that makes her truly electric to watch. The key to the Mystics surpassing all expectations and securing a playoff berth hinges on Austin consistently playing at her peak each game.
Shakira Austin is finally living up to her potential
Austin's ability to dominate on both ends of the floor has always been what sets her apart. Offensively, she's become a remarkably efficient scorer, especially in the paint, highlighted by her career-high 28 points against the Atlanta Dream on June 20th (13-17 shooting) and a follow-up 21 points against the Dallas Wings just two days later, proving her breakout was no fluke. With a season field goal percentage of 52.6%, Austin consistently converts around the rim, drawing fouls and creating crucial space for perimeter threats like veteran guard Brittney Sykes and rookie Sonia Citron, who hit the game-winning shot against the Wings in overtime.
Austin's current dominance is even more impressive given the obstacles she's had to overcome. Her journey has been marked by frustrating hip and ankle injuries that significantly limited her availability and impact in the 2023 and 2024 seasons. This year, she faced further setbacks, including a concussion after her May 18th season debut, which led to a slow reintegration into the lineup. The Mystics' cautious approach to her return, slowly increasing her minutes and allowing her body to fully heal, is now paying dividends.
Austin has also become the Mystics’ undisputed defensive anchor with her shot-blocking ability as she’s notably recorded multiple blocks in three straight games, a first in her career. Her ability to consistently secure possessions, both offensively and defensively, helps limit opponents' second-chance points and ignite the team's transition game. This defensive versatility in her ability to guard multiple positions and even push the ball up herself aligns with Coach Johnson's preferred fast-paced style of play.
With a roster featuring several talented frontcourt players, it wasn't immediately clear where Austin would factor upon her return, but she has made the case for herself, cementing her place in the starting lineup and proving she is back and better than ever.
The playoff equation
Meanwhile, sitting just above the Mystics in that coveted eighth playoff spot, the Indiana Fever, despite their talent, have shown some concerning issues. They've struggled with defensive consistency, particularly in the paint, where they've allowed 39.1 points per game since May 28th, ranking them last in the league during that nine-game span.
Their heavy reliance on Caitlin Clark's scoring, particularly when other offensive options aren’t working, can also lead to a flat offense and a concerning rise in turnovers. Clark has accumulated 14 turnovers in her last two games, including 8 in a challenging loss against the Las Vegas Aces.
Additionally, the extended absence of veteran DeWanna Bonner due to personal reasons has hindered what was anticipated to be an important veteran frontcourt role for the Fever. This is further compounded by Damiris Dantas' upcoming departure for AmeriCupW and Natasha Howard's struggles to consistently produce. The latter is averaging 11.3 points and 6.4 rebounds this season, a notable drop from her 17.6 points and 6.7 rebounds just last year.
These factors highlight exactly why Austin's foundational, two-way play is so crucial. It’s what wins close games and grinds out victories for teams chasing the playoffs. A fully unleashed Austin means Washington is a far more dangerous team capable of securing a playoff spot.
While external narratives may focus on individual star power, the real story of the Washington Mystics' playoff hopes is in the quiet, yet powerful, emergence of Shakira Austin. She is not just a key player, she is the engine that can drive the Mystics into the postseason. If the Fever are unable to recover from their ongoing woes and the Mystics can consistently win key games, we could witness a truly shocking shake-up at the end of the season.