New-look Mystics struggle with the Sky — and more moves are possible

Washington Post

a day ago

CHICAGO — As Sonia Citron won the game-day shootaround competition with her second half-court shot, she was mobbed by her Washington Mystics teammates, including Aaliyah Edwards. A few steps away, Brittney Sykes did a dance at the free throw line, wagging her knees and thrusting out her arms.
It was all smiles and good times at Wintrust Arena on Tuesday morning. About 90 minutes later, Sykes was traded to the Seattle Storm. The Mystics' leading scorer and vocal leader was gone.
The youngest roster in the WNBA got a taste of the business of basketball, and there is still plenty of time for more change with the trade deadline set for 3 p.m. Thursday. On Tuesday night, the Mystics lost, 78-64, to the Chicago Sky, and questions remained about what their roster will look like when they visit the Minnesota Lynx on Friday.
'I think this is kind of my 'Welcome to the W' moment,' rookie Kiki Iriafen said. '... [Sykes] and Sika [Koné, who was waived] mean so much to our team and, obviously, not having them with us anymore is really tough. So I think we're just adjusting to that. It's hard adjusting on a game day, but I think with this team, we have so much grit and we're going to figure it out."
No Mystics player reached double figures until the fourth quarter. Citron finished with 13 points, and Iriafen added 10. Washington's lone lead was 2-0. The Mystics (13-16) have dropped three in a row, matching a season high. Tuesday was the second game of a four-game road trip.
'My mentality stays the same,' Citron said. 'I'm going to keep playing the way I play. Obviously, there will be some adjustments. That's just what it is. Everybody just has to do a little bit more because Slim impacted our team in so many ways. So, I don't just feel that pressure. It's the whole team.'
The Sky (8-21) snapped an eight-game losing streak. Elizabeth Williams (18 points, 10 rebounds) and Kamilla Cardoso (16 points, 13 rebounds) led the way. Sky star Angel Reese did not play because of a back injury, but former Mystics standout Ariel Atkins returned from a leg injury to score 15 points.
Edwards, who played seven minutes and scored three points, is one of the biggest question marks ahead of the trade deadline; there were reports earlier in the season that the Mystics were fielding offers for the No. 6 draft pick in 2024. Edwards said she hasn't spoken with team management about the possibility.
'To be honest, I'm not even thinking about it,' she said. 'Just locked in with my team. … Especially this week because there's so much uncertainty, for me, it's just being mentally strong, mentally tough. Making sure that I continue to do the things I love, which is just play basketball every day. Blessed with this opportunity and blessed to be putting [on] for D.C. So those are the things I just continue to think about — playing for my teammates. All the outside noise, I don't really worry about until it's something to worry about.'
Edwards is in a tricky spot as the last first-round pick by the Mystics' previous regime. The Mystics' roster is deep with post players, and Edwards has lost playing time to Iriafen and center Shakira Austin. Edwards returned from a wrist injury Sunday and played three minutes. She didn't play at all in the first half Tuesday despite the Mystics being down to nine players.
Coach Sydney Johnson said the possibility of a trade and the looming trade deadline have not been the reason for Edwards's limited minutes.
'With our frontcourt, Kiki is pretty good, [Austin's] pretty good,' Johnson said. 'We had Stef [Dolson], we had Emily [Engstler], Aaliyah. So just with five post players, I'm trying to allow them to get in a rhythm. Three minutes for Aaliyah is tough. Seven minutes for Aaliyah is tough. ... Just trying my best there. That's just kind of where we are.'