rebuild

American head coach Kelly Killion walks down the sideline during a game. She raises her right arm, gesturing to her players on the court.

Despite early struggles, Kelly Killion is Eagle-eyed about what she wants to build at American

By Jenn Hatfield / December 3, 2025

Killion: ‘These games are going to shift … our tide’

Washington Mystics forward Kiki Iriafen smiles and holds up four fingers on each hand in response to Washington getting the fourth overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft. She is shown on the broadcast of the draft lottery, and a graphic with the lottery results is overlaid at the bottom.

Rinse and repeat: Rebuilding Washington Mystics will pick fourth in WNBA Draft for second straight year

By Jenn Hatfield / November 23, 2025

That’s just one way this offseason is expected to look like the last one for the Mystics

Washington Mystics general manager Jamila Wideman and assistant general manager Maria Giovannetti sit in the stands and talk before a game. Wideman holds a coffee cup in her right hand and gestures with her left as she speaks.

Why player development will remain a top priority for Jamila Wideman and Washington Mystics in 2026

By Jenn Hatfield / September 18, 2025

‘Time and talent’ are the keys to the Mystics’ rebuild long-term

The lights are dark at CareFirst Arena as Washington Mystics players huddle before a game. They are wearing black jerseys with gold trim or black warm-up shirts.

The Washington Mystics’ season is over, but the roots of a rebuild are in place

By Jenn Hatfield / September 13, 2025

Though ending on a 10-game losing streak was disappointing, 2025 was never about results for the Mystics

Washington Mystics players stand on the court and look forward at something off camera, as if they are waiting for something.

How the Washington Mystics are evaluating and pushing themselves during their 8-game losing streak

By Jenn Hatfield / September 6, 2025

Alysha Clark: ‘We want to win, but it’s how you lose’

Washington Mystics general manager Jamila Wideman is shown doing a Zoom call with reporters. She is wearing a navy Mystics sweatshirt, and there is a navy backdrop with the Mystics, Monumental Sports Network and MedStar Health logos behind her.

Mystics general manager Jamila Wideman discusses plan for the future, progress this season

By Jenn Hatfield / August 16, 2025

Wideman: The Mystics are competing ‘probably at a level that we don’t have business competing in’ this season

Aaliyah Edwards sits on the court, clenches her fists and yells in celebration. A Los Angeles Sparks player is lying in the lane behind her. The photo is the backdrop for a graphic, which also includes the text "WNBA trade deadline special" overlaid at the bottom in all caps and the orange Locked On Women's Basketball logo in the top right corner.

Locked On Women’s Basketball: Grading deals made before the WNBA trade deadline

By The IX Basketball / August 7, 2025

Chelsea Leite: ‘Everybody was just waiting for the shoe to drop with Minnesota, waiting for them to make a move’

Washington Mystics guard Brittney Sykes is shown in midair, about to release a right-handed jump shot over a Las Vegas Aces defender. The defender is close enough to contest the shot but isn't high enough in the air to disrupt Sykes' vision.

How trading away Brittney Sykes helps and hurts the Washington Mystics

By Jenn Hatfield / August 6, 2025

The Mystics got back Alysha Clark and a Seattle draft pick, giving them three first-round picks in 2026

Minnesota Lynx associate head coach Eric Thibault stands on the court and extends his left hand to high-five players who are walking toward him. He holds a piece of paper in his right hand, which is down at his side.

On the night Eric Thibault returned to Washington, the Mystics got their biggest win of the season

By Jenn Hatfield / June 26, 2025

Aaliyah Edwards: ‘He was an op today’

Washington Mystics head coach Sydney Johnson raises both arms and pumps his fists in celebration. Forward Aaliyah Edwards stands on the sideline behind him and makes the arm gestures that referees use to call a charge.

Aaliyah Edwards and the rebuilding Washington Mystics are ahead of schedule

By Jenn Hatfield / May 26, 2025

Edwards made her season debut on Sunday, and the Mystics have had chances to win every game