NFL
By: Nathan Snell
After a 2025 season that ended on a ten-game skid, the Washington Mystics get their redemption moment Friday night. The 2026 season for the Mystics officially begins as they take on the Toronto Tempo in their first regular-season franchise home game. The Toronto Tempo, built through the expansion draft, is led by former Mystic Brittany Sykes and Connecticut Sun Marina Mabrey. Mystics who leaned on the young core for Sonia Cintron, Kiki Irafen, and Shakira Austin last season. They look like they built off last season, as they were a game from making the playoffs.
New Faces:
With multiple draft picks in this year’s draft, it will be interesting to see how the rookies fit in the roster. A total of 9 rookies led by UCLA standout Lauren Betts. Her scoring and rebounding, along with a healthy Shakira Austin, will give Washington a nice frontcourt. Angela Dugalic will also be looked at to bring some punch. This is a team light on vets but heavy with potential, which is a good thing, or is it? How will they stack in the Eastern Conference? Well, did the team answer the issue they had last season with the lack of 3-point shooting? Is this a team on the rise or a playoff contender? As a Mystics fan, you have to be excited for year 2 of Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen, as well as how the two UCLA stars can adapt to the pro game as they did.
Washington, while departing from Jamila Wideman, continued to process the draft and develop in the 2026 WNBA draft. The Mystics are the league’s young team, with an average age of 24.
The Mystics have a roster that prides itself on offense and up-tempo play, but defense is where they will be the most fun to watch. The Fever, Sun, and Dream have been picked by most to finish ahead of the Mystics. Time will tell if that is the case.
However, it is worth noting that the Mystics led the league in free-throw attempts and shot nearly 60% from the field.
This Mystics team has two players with only a few years of experience: Shakira Austin and Michaela Onyewere.
Georgia Amoore, coming off a torn ACL, will be key this season, running the point guard duties for Washington. It will take some time for her to get back into the groove of things. How long is the question we need answered?
The Toronto Tempo, still without an identity to be determined, has an experienced coach in Sandy Brondello, Kiki Rice, a first-round pick, and some free-agent moves. They will miss Kitija Laksa and Maria Conde as they are overseas due to commitments. The biggest thing to question mark is their frontcourt: outside Nyara Sabally (expansion draft), Isabelle Harrison (Free Agency), and Temi Fagbenle (Free Agency). There are a lot of questions in that area.
This is a chance to start off 2026 right and for the Mystics to end a Ten-game losing streak, closing the 2025 regular season.
Projected Starting Lineup (Mystics):
- Georgia Amoore
- Sonia Citron
- Kiki Iriafen
- Lauren Betts
- Angela Dugalic
Projected Starting Lineup (Tempo)
- Marina Mabrey
- Brittney Sykes
- Kia Nurse
- Temi Fegbenle
- Isabelle Harrison
Injury Report:
Michaela Onyenwere (Questionable), Shakira Austin (Out), Alex Wilson (Out), Cotie McMahon (Out)
Final Thoughts:
Friday’s game against Toronto is bigger than the box score will show. For the Mystics, it’s an opportunity to signal that Year 2 looks different — that the losing streak is behind them and a new identity is taking shape. The questions surrounding three-point shooting, Amoore’s health, and a frontcourt without Austin won’t be answered in one game. But how this young, hungry roster responds to a hyped-up Toronto home crowd will tell us a lot about who the Washington Mystics are becoming. My pick is an 87-72 Mystics victory. Be sure to follow me all season for more Mystics content and breakdowns.
