The Washington Mystics are a professional basketball team from the U.S. competing in the WNBA's Eastern Conference. As of September 2024, the Mystics have been competing in the league for 26 years. Their arena is at the Entertainment and Sports Arena at the St. Elizabeths East Campus in Congress Heights, which officially opened on September 22, 2018. Michael Winger serves as the team president and the franchise is owned by Ted Leonsis under Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE).
As of September 2024, the team's roster includes players such as Karlie Samuelson, Sug Sutton, Brittney Sykes, and Stefanie Dolson, among others, under the leadership of head coach Eric Thibault. Ariel Atkins holds the franchise record for most three-pointers made, while Elena Delle Donne, who is not currently on the team’s roster, remains the all-time points leader. Notable long-serving Mystics players include Elena Delle Donne, Emma Meesseman, Chamique Holdsclaw, Monique Currie, and Crystal Langhorne, according to SBNation's Bullets Forever.
Washington Mystics Playoff Appearances
The Washington Mystics have qualified for the playoffs 13 times in their 23 seasons. They had a challenging start, finishing their first season with a 3-27 record. In 1999, they improved to a 12-20 record but still missed the playoffs. In 2000, led by Chamique Holdsclaw, the Mystics made their first playoff appearance with a 14-18 record. However, the team finished at the bottom of the Eastern Conference in 2001 and faced organizational changes in 2005. One of the franchise's standout performances occurred in a 118–81 victory over the Chicago Sky, where they set a franchise record with 118 points and 16 three-pointers.
In the 2017 WNBA Draft, the Mystics acquired Elena Delle Donne and Kristi Toliver during the offseason. The following year, the Mystics reached the WNBA Finals for the first time after defeating the Atlanta Dream, although they ultimately lost to the Seattle Storm.
Washington Mystics Playoff Record
As of September 14, 2024, the 2024 WNBA season is still ongoing, so the final playoff outcomes have not been determined. The Mystics have a regular season record of 13 wins and 24 losses, giving them a 0.351 winning percentage, and they are ranked 8th in the league in the 2024 WNBA season as of September 14, 2024. Till the 2023 season, the Mystics have an 18–34 playoff record and a winning percentage of 0.346 which is one of the lowest among WNBA franchises. The Mystics have played a total of 866 games, with 383 wins and 483 losses, for an overall winning percentage of 0.442, tying with the Dallas Wings as of September 13, 2024.
Washington Mystics Championships
The Washington Mystics have won one WNBA Championship, in 2019. They secured the title after defeating the Connecticut Sun with a 3-2 series record. Elena Delle Donne was named the season's MVP. Below is a summary of the five games from the 2019 WNBA Finals against the Connecticut Sun:
| YEAR | HEAD COACH | OPPONENTS | SCORE |
| 2019 | Michael Francis Thibault | Mystics VS Connecticut Sun | 95-86 |
| 2019 | Michael Francis Thibault | Mystics VS Connecticut Sun | 87-99 |
| 2019 | Michael Francis Thibault | Mystics VS Connecticut Sun | 94-81 |
| 2019 | Michael Francis Thibault | Mystics VS Connecticut Sun | 86-90 |
| 2019 | Michael Francis Thibault | Mystics VS Connecticut Sun | 89-78 |
Washington Mystics's Last Playoff Appearance
As of September 14, 2024, the Mystics are competing in the 2024 WNBA season. The playoffs have not been finalized, but the Mystics and the Chicago Sky are tied with a 0.351 winning percentage. Prior to this, the Mystics made the WNBA playoffs in the 2023 season.
What is the biggest playoff series comeback in the Washington Mystics's history?
The Washington Mystics's biggest playoff series comebacks occurred in 2018 and 2019. In 2018, under the leadership of 2015 WNBA MVP Elena Delle Donne and with contributions from All-Star players such as Monique Currie, Kristi Toliver, veterans Krystal Thomas and Tierra Ruffin-Pratt, and rookies Ariel Atkins and Myisha Hines-Allen, the Mystics made it to their first WNBA Finals. They defeated the Atlanta Dream 3-2 but lost the finals to the Seattle Storm.
In 2019, the Mystics made a strong comeback, winning the WNBA Championship with a 3-2 series victory. Elena Delle Donne, despite being injured, played a pivotal role, scoring a season-high 33 points against the Phoenix Mercury. In the Finals, Emma Meesseman stepped up, scoring 22 points and earning the Finals MVP title, leading the Mystics to their first championship victory.
FAQs on Washington Mystics
A. Washington Mystics has won one WNBA Championship in 2019.
A. Washington Mystics has been playing for 26 years in the WNBA.
A. Washington Mystics won 18 playoffs games in WNBA as of September 13, 2024.
A. According to Bullets Forever, Washington Mystics's greatest rival is Las Vegas Aces.
A. The Government Employees Insurance Company ( GEICO ) sponsors the Washington Mystics as of September 2024.
A. Washington Mystics has played in two finals in 2018 and 2019 as of September 2024.
