The Washington Mystics are a team of contradictions. They're young, they're underpaid, and they're determined to make the playoffs. But are they good enough? The WNBA power rankings seem to think so, but the front office's strategy raises questions.
The Mystics are currently sitting at 10-10 in the 2026 WNBA regular season standings, good for eighth place. They've had some impressive wins, including against the Minnesota Lynx and New York Liberty, and have been on a roll with six wins in their last ten games. This is all the more impressive considering they're the youngest team in the league and pay their players the least amount of money.
The power rankings reflect this, with Michael Voepel of ESPN placing them at No. 7 and Sabreena Merchant of The Athletic at No. 7 as well. This is a significant jump from their previous ranking, and it's easy to see why. The team has been playing well, and rookie guard Alicia Florez has been a standout performer.
Florez has great chemistry with her bigs and has been making decisive plays, especially in the pick-and-roll with Kiki Iriafen. She's also a threat from the perimeter and has the size to make all the passes her teammates need. This has been especially helpful when starting backcourt player Sonia Citron is out with injuries.
However, the front office's strategy of tanking when key players aren't performing well raises questions. It's understandable that they want to save money, but it's also important to consider the team's long-term success.
In my opinion, the Mystics are a team on the rise. They have a bright future, and with players like Florez leading the way, they could be a force to be reckoned with in the WNBA. But the front office needs to strike a balance between saving money and building a competitive team.
The power rankings reflect the team's current success, but it's important to remember that the season is still young. The Mystics have a lot of basketball left to play, and they could still surprise everyone by making a deep playoff run. But for now, they're a team to watch, and with players like Florez leading the way, they have a bright future ahead of them.
