After ending the 2024 WNBA campaign with just 14 wins in 40 games, the Washington Mystics lingered at the depths of the regular season standings as they cemented a ninth-place finish. There was little debate that a rebuild had to be the front office's number one priority in the offseason.
The Mystics wasted no time in trading their star asset, Ariel Atkins, to the Chicago Sky in exchange for the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA draft, providing Washington with the 3rd, 4th, and 6th overall pick. The front office expertly utilized these picks by selecting Sonia Citron, Kiki Iriafen, and Georgia Amoore.
Despite Amoore suffering a season-ending ACL injury to her right knee, Citron and Iriafen have thrived in her absence, scoring 13.7 and 14.6 points per game, respectively. The impressive rookie duo is deservedly receiving a high percentage of the plaudits, however, there is one veteran star who has been the catalyst to Washington's improved performances.
Brittney Sykes is leading by example
In her ninth year in the WNBA, Sykes has elevated her game to new heights and is flourishing as the veteran presence on a roster that has an average age of around 25 years old. The Syracuse graduate is registering career-high numbers in scoring, averaging 20.6 points per game (4.7 points higher than her career best).
The 31-year-old exhibited her incredible offensive prowess in the 67-104 victory over the disappointing Connecticut Sun, scoring 28 points while shooting 50 percent from the floor and 50 percent from 3-point range—this was the seventh game this campaign in which the Mystics' star finished the game with 20+ points.
Not only is she recording devastating scoring numbers, but Sykes has also been showcasing her elite playmaking talents as the star has continually looked for opportunities to provide Iriafen with easy buckets in the paint and Citron with open looks on the perimeter. The veteran guard is chalking up 4.7 assists per game, which is another career-high tally.
Statistics can help paint a picture of the fruitful season a player is having, but they cannot describe every aspect of what makes them so essential to their franchise. The leadership traits that the former LA Sparks guard has displayed on this young roster have been a vital component to the hustle and determination they have shown in 2025. During the Connecticut victory, despite being up by 20 points, Sykes could be seen motivating her colleagues and passionately gesturing towards the scoreboard.
The Washington Mystics currently occupy the final playoff berth in the WNBA regular season standings with a 4-6 record. It is still way too early to determine which franchise will steal the eighth seed; however, with a fantastic veteran presence who is recording the finest numbers of her career, the playoffs will be a realistic expectation.