The Washington Mystics entered the 2025 season focused on rebuilding for the future, but by the end of the year, the organization had far more optimism than expected. Armed with two top five draft picks, Washington added Sonia Citron out of Notre Dame and USC forward Kiki Iriafen, hoping the pair could help establish the franchise’s next core.
Instead, the Mystics took meaningful steps forward much faster than anticipated. Brittney Sykes earned All-Star honors alongside the rising young duo, while Shakira Austin delivered the best season of her professional career. Even without a playoff appearance, Washington showed clear signs that the rebuild may already be ahead of schedule.
The biggest setback came before the season even began, when third first-round pick Georgia Amoore suffered a torn ACL that sidelined her for the year. Still, the Mystics enter 2026 with momentum and yet another pair of top 10 draft picks, including No. 4 overall selection Lauren Betts, joining an increasingly promising young roster.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Washington Mystics this season, including the full schedule, TV channel information, roster updates, key players and where to watch games throughout the year.
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Washington Mystics Quick Facts:
Founding Season: 1998
Conference: Eastern
Head Coach: Sydney Johnson
Home Arena: Entertainment & Sports Arena
Championships: 1 (2019)
2025 Finish: Did not make the playoffs
Where can I watch Washington Mystics games?
For fans who can’t make it out to Entertainment & Sports Arena to watch the Mystics in person, there are plenty of ways to follow the Washington Mystics TV schedule throughout the season, including nationally televised matchups and regional coverage.
Below are the channels and streaming platforms where you can watch Washington Mystics games live:
- Regional Sports Network – Monumental Sports Network
- ESPN – Ch. 206
- ESPN2 – Ch. 209
- ABC – Find your local ABC network
- CBS – Find your local CBS network
- NBC – Find your local NBC network
- USA Network – Ch. 242
- ION – Ch. 305
- Peacock
- Prime Video
- WNBA League Pass
- ESPN Unlimited
Washington Mystics 2026 TV Schedule
The Mystics begin their season against the newest team in the WNBA, the Toronto Tempo, at the Coca-Cola Coliseum on May 8 at 7:30 p.m. ET. They get their first home game Sunday, May 10, against their rival New York Liberty at the CareFirst Arena at 3:00 p.m. ET.
Don’t miss a second of the 2026 WNBA season. With DIRECTV, you don’t have to! You can find the bulk of their games on the Monumental Sports Network (MNMT), channel 642 for DIRECTV subscribers.
| Date | Opponent | Time | TV Channel |
| Fri, 5/8 | @ Toronto Tempo | 7:30 p.m. | ION |
| Sun, 5/10 | vs New York Liberty | 3:00 p.m. | MNMT |
| Fri, 5/15 | @ Indiana Fever | 7:30 p.m. | ION, MNMT |
| Mon, 5/18 | @ Dallas Wings | 8:00 p.m. | Peacock, MNMT, NBCSN |
| Sun, 5/24 | @ Seattle Storm | 6:00 p.m. | MNMT |
| Wed, 5/27 | @ Seattle Storm | 10:00 p.m. | MNMT |
| Fri, 5/29 | vs Los Angeles Sparks | 7:30 p.m. | ION, MNMT |
| Tue, 6/2 | vs Chicago Sky | 7:30 p.m. | MNMT |
| Sat, 6/6 | @ Atlanta Dream | 6:00 p.m. | MNMT |
| Mon, 6/8 | vs Indiana Fever | 7:00 p.m. | Peacock, MNMT, NBCSN |
| Fri, 6/12 | vs Toronto Tempo | 7:30 p.m. | ION, MNMT |
| Sun, 6/14 | @ New York Liberty | 3:00 p.m. | NBA TV, MNMT |
| Wed, 6/17 | @ Connecticut Sun | 7:00 p.m. | MNMT |
| Fri, 6/19 | @ New York Liberty | 7:30 p.m. | ION, MNMT |
| Sun, 6/21 | @ Minnesota Lynx | 6:00 p.m. | NBA TV, MNMT |
| Wed, 6/24 | vs Minnesota Lynx | 7:30 p.m. | MNMT |
| Fri, 6/26 | @ Connecticut Sun | 7:30 p.m. | ION, MNMT |
| Sun, 6/28 | vs Portland Fire | 3:00 p.m. | |
| Thu, 7/2 | vs Atlanta Dream | 7:30 p.m. | MNMT |
| Mon, 7/6 | vs Golden State Valkyries | 7:30 p.m. | MNMT |
| Sun, 7/12 | vs Seattle Storm | 3:00 p.m. | MNMT |
| Tue, 7/14 | @ Toronto Tempo | 7:00 p.m. | MNMT |
| Thu, 7/16 | vs Portland Fire | 7:00 p.m. | NBA TV |
| Sat, 7/18 | @ Golden State Valkyries | 8:30 p.m. | MNMT |
| Mon, 7/20 | @ Golden State Valkyries | 10:00 p.m. | MNMT |
| Wed, 7/22 | vs Las Vegas Aces | 7:30 p.m. | MNMT |
| Tue, 7/28 | vs Connecticut Sun | 7:30 p.m. | NBA TV, MNMT |
| Fri, 7/31 | vs Dallas Wings | 7:30 p.m. | ION |
| Wed, 8/5 | vs Dallas Wings | 7:30 p.m. | MNMT |
| Fri, 8/7 | vs Atlanta Dream | 7:30 p.m. | ION |
| Sun, 8/9 | vs Phoenix Mercury | 3:00 p.m. | MNMT |
| Tue, 8/11 | @ Las Vegas Aces | 10:00 p.m. | MNMT |
| Thu, 8/13 | @ Las Vegas Aces | 10:00 p.m. | Prime Video |
| Sat, 8/15 | vs Los Angeles Sparks | 7:30 p.m. | MNMT |
| Wed, 8/19 | vs Toronto Tempo | 7:30 p.m. | MNMT |
| Fri, 8/21 | vs Minnesota Lynx | 7:30 p.m. | ION |
| Sun, 8/23 | @ Portland Fire | 7:00 p.m. | MNMT |
| Tue, 8/25 | @ Phoenix Mercury | 10:00 p.m. | MNMT |
| Thu, 8/27 | @ Phoenix Mercury | 10:00 p.m. | Prime Video |
| Fri, 8/28 | @ Los Angeles Sparks | 10:00 p.m. | ION |
| Thu, 9/17 | @ Chicago Sky | 8:00 p.m. | MNMT |
| Sun, 9/20 | @ Indiana Fever | 4:00 p.m. | NBA TV, MNMT |
| Tue, 9/22 | vs Connecticut Sun | 7:30 p.m. | MNMT |
| Thu, 9/24 | vs Chicago Sky | 7:30 p.m. | MNMT |
No Mystic games today? Find another matchup to watch on the full WNBA schedule here.
How did the Washington Mystics perform in 2025?
The Washington Mystics showed meaningful progress during the 2025 season, finishing 16-28 in the first year under head coach Sydney Johnson. Although Washington missed the playoffs, the organization took important steps forward by building one of the WNBA’s most promising young cores.
Rookies Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen immediately became foundational pieces for the franchise after both were selected in the top five of the 2025 WNBA Draft. Citron averaged 14.9 points per game while shooting 44% from three, and Iriafen added 13.3 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. Both players earned All-Star selections and finished among the top Rookie of the Year candidates.
Shakira Austin also enjoyed the best season of her career, averaging 12.7 points, 6.5 rebounds, one steal and one block per game. Veteran guard Brittney Sykes provided leadership and All-Star production before being traded later in the season as the Mystics shifted their focus toward the future.
One of the biggest setbacks came before the season even started when first-round pick Georgia Amoore suffered a torn ACL that sidelined her for the entire year.
Now entering 2026 with another top draft class led by Lauren Betts and Angela Dugalic, the Mystics appear positioned to continue building toward long-term playoff contention.
Key Washington Mystics players to watch in 2026
The Washington Mystics continue building one of the WNBA’s most intriguing young cores after adding Lauren Betts, Angela Dugalic and Cotie McMahon through the 2026 WNBA Draft. Those rookies now join Sonia Citron, Kiki Iriafen and Shakira Austin as Washington focuses on developing a roster capable of growing into a long-term contender.
Sonia Citron
Citron immediately established herself as one of the top young guards in the WNBA during her rookie season. The former Notre Dame standout averaged 14.9 points, four rebounds and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 44% from three-point range on her way to an All-Star selection and All-Rookie honors.
Her efficient scoring and two-way impact quickly made her one of the foundational pieces of Washington’s rebuild.
Kiki Iriafen
Iriafen made an immediate impact after being selected fourth overall in the 2025 WNBA Draft. The former USC forward averaged 13.3 points and 8.5 rebounds per game while emerging as one of the league’s best young rebounders and earning an All-Star selection during her rookie season.
Her energy and physicality in the frontcourt remain central to Washington’s long-term plans.
Lauren Betts
Betts arrives in Washington after helping lead UCLA to a national championship and establishing herself as one of the top prospects in women’s basketball. The 6-foot-7 center averaged 18.6 points, 9.1 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game across her final collegiate seasons and immediately gives the Mystics another elite defensive presence in the frontcourt.
Georgia Amoore
Amoore missed the entire 2025 season after suffering a torn ACL shortly before her WNBA debut. Before entering the league, the former Kentucky star averaged 19.6 points and 6.9 assists per game while becoming one of the nation’s top offensive guards.
Washington hopes her return can provide another major boost to the Mystics backcourt entering 2026.
Angela Dugalic
Dugalic joins the Mystics after helping UCLA win a national championship alongside Betts. The versatile forward brings additional size, floor spacing and defensive versatility after shooting 50% from the field during her final collegiate season.
Shakira Austin
Austin delivered the best season of her professional career in 2025, averaging career highs in scoring, assists and blocks. The former No. 3 overall pick gives Washington another versatile frontcourt piece and should benefit from playing alongside Betts in one of the league’s tallest frontcourts.
Cotie McMahon
McMahon adds another scoring forward to Washington’s young core after averaging 19.5 points, five rebounds and three assists during her final college season. Her offensive versatility gives the Mystics another promising developmental piece entering 2026.
While Washington may still be a year or two away from serious playoff contention, the Mystics now possess one of the deepest collections of young talent in the WNBA.
Top Washington Mystics rivalries to watch in 2026
The Washington Mystics continue to build toward playoff contention while competing against several established Eastern Conference powers.
New York Liberty
The Mystics and Liberty have regularly battled for playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference, and Washington’s young core will once again be tested against one of the league’s top championship contenders.
Atlanta Dream
Washington and Atlanta continue to share an increasingly important Eastern Conference rivalry as both franchises look to strengthen their playoff positioning heading into the future.
Stream Washington Mystics Games Live on DIRECTV
WNBA games air across ABC, CBS, NBC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Unlimited, ION and USA Network throughout the season. With DIRECTV, fans can watch Washington Mystics games live all year long, from the opening tip of the regular season through the WNBA Playoffs and Finals.
Whether you’re following the Mystics’ rising young core led by Sonia Citron and Lauren Betts or watching key Eastern Conference matchups throughout the season, DIRECTV gives basketball fans access to national broadcasts, streaming options and regional coverage all year long.
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Frequently asked questions
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