For the first time in three seasons, the Washington Mystics missed the playoffs. This year, much like last year, was defined by some difficult injuries and a lot of tough losses.
The Mystics got off to a dreadful 0-12 start to the season, during which they experimented with three different starting lineups. With Brittney Sykes and Shakira Austin dealing with early-season injuries, it felt like the writing was on the wall for the Mystics. They were on pace to have the highest odds for landing the No. 1 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft.
It was during this time that the Mystics learned a lot about themselves.
What went right for Washington?
Aaliyah Edwards
Starting with the rookie Aaliyah Edwards, who showed a lot of promise in her first year. She showed flashes of her defensive potential, taking on a variety of different assignments both on the perimeter and inside. This shouldn’t come as a surprise to those who watched her at UConn, as she was tasked with similar roles.
As for areas of improvement, finishing at the rim will need to be a…
