It's sometimes hard to remember that Shakira Austin is still very early in her WNBA career. That's mostly because at 25, she's actually a veteran on a very young Washington Mystics, so when compared to many of her teammates, she seems significantly more experienced. Austin has also embraced the idea of being a veteran, and it's clear that she enjoys leading what seems to be like a really fun group of players.
It's also clear that Austin really loves hooping. She's entering into an era of her career that will very likely include years of increasing skill, and she's putting in some of the best work of her time on the court so far. Austin is also finding a way to master her three-point shot, something that is necessary in this era of the WNBA—and something she's always wanted to conquer.
While she still isn't shooting tons of three-point shots, the process of doing so is on her mind. Austin made that much clear while speaking to reporters following the team's 84-79 win over the Seattle Storm. She told media that if she can get a consistent three-point shot, things will get a lot more exciting—and that's true for her and for her team.
The Washington Mystics could make the WNBA Playoffs
The Mystics are in a very interesting moment right now. It's unclear what the franchise goal really is, and a lot of people assumed at the season's beginning that the young team would likely do their best—but that their best might not be that good. But the Mystics have proven in more than one game that their best can win them basketball games, and Washington could end up in the playoffs if they really want to be there.
Right now, the Mystics are ranked 8th in the WNBA, which has them placed just on the bubble. If the WNBA Playoffs were being played today, they would be solidly in — the Toronto Tempo is below them with a 10-13 record.
Back in June, head coach Sydney Johnson pointed to the moment at which it became clear to him that his team could do something special this season. While speaking on a loss to the Minnesota Lynx, a team that's been consistently ranked as one of the top two teams in the league all season, Johnson said that his team expected to win. That might have sounded like fantasy to some WNBA observers, but it didn't to Johnson, and it definitely didn't to his team.
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