The 2023 Washington Mystics season was the franchise's 26th season in the Women's National Basketball Association, and their first season under head coach Eric Thibault.
On November 15, 2022, the Mystics announced that former head coach Mike Thibault would be retiring from the coaching side of basketball. He would still retain his General Manager title. They also announced that assistant coach Eric Thibault would be promoted to head coach for the Mystics.[1]
The Mystics earned the fourth overall pick in the 2023 WNBA draft through the Draft Lottery system. They entered the lottery with the third best odds, but fell one spot.[2]
The Mystics started the season off with a win, but then lost their next two games, which were both against Connecticut. After winning their final game, they finished May with a 2–2 record. June began with the Mystics winning three of the first four games. The lost a game before going on a three-game winning streak. They finished the season losing two of their last three games and ended June with a 7–4 record. The team lost two of their first four games in July, before losing five of their last six. They finished July with a 3–7 record. They won their first game in August before a three-game losing streak. They won their next two, but then lost to games, before winning two more games. A loss in the final game of August saw the team finish with a 5–6 record in the month. The Mystics entered September in the hunt for one of the final playoff spots. They began September with a loss, but secured their playoff spot with a win on September 5. They lost their penultimate game of the season, but won their final game to secure the seventh seed.
As the seventh seed in the 2023 WNBA Playoffs they faced off against the second seed New York Liberty. In the first game, New York won by fifteen points, 90–75. Needed to win to keep the series alive, the Mystics forced overtime in New York, but were unable to finish with a win, and lost 85–90 to end their season. This was the second straight season qualifying for the playoffs, and the sixth playoff appearance in seven years for the Mystics.
Transactions
WNBA draft
- Soares was traded on Draft Day to the Dallas Wings in exchange for a future 2024 second-round pick and 2025 first-round draft pick (via Atlanta)[3]
Transactions
| Date
|
Transaction
|
| November 15, 2022
|
Head Coach Mike Thibault retires from coaching. Thibault will stay on as General Manager.[4]
|
| Hired Eric Thibault as Head Coach
|
| Promoted LaToya Sanders to Associate Head Coach
|
| Promoted Maria Giovannetti to Assistant General Manager/Senior Vice President of Strategy and Vision
|
| January 13, 2023
|
Extended Qualifying Offers to Rui Machida, Jazmine Jones, and Evina Westbrook[5]
|
| January 20, 2023
|
Signed Evina Westbrook to her Qualifying Offer - Training Camp Contract[6]
|
| January 23, 2023
|
Signed Jazmine Jones to a Qualifying Offer - Training Camp Contract[7]
|
| February 1, 2023
|
Signed Brittney Sykes to a 3-Year Deal[8]
|
| Signed Shatori Walker-Kimbrough to a 2-Year Deal[9]
|
| Rescinded Qualifying Offer to Rui Machida
|
| February 2, 2023
|
Signed Tianna Hawkins to a Training Camp Contract[10]
|
| Signed Alisia Jenkins to a Training Camp Contract[11]
|
| February 5, 2023
|
Traded a Second-Round Pick in the 2024 and 2025 WNBA Drafts to the Las Vegas Aces in exchange for the negotiating rights to Amanda Zahui B[12]
|
| February 6, 2023
|
Signed Stephanie Jones to a Training Camp Contract[13]
|
| February 7, 2023
|
Signed Amanda Zahui B to a Training Camp Contract[14]
|
| March 13, 2023
|
Signed Li Meng to a Training Camp Contract[15]
|
| March 21, 2023
|
Hired Ashlee McGee as Assistant Coach[16]
|
| April 10, 2023
|
Traded the draft rights to Stephanie Soares to the Dallas Wings in exchange for Dallas's 2024 Second Round Pick and Atlanta's 2025 First Round Pick[17]
|
| April 13, 2023
|
Signed Elena Tsineke to a Rookie Scale Contract
|
| April 25, 2023
|
Signed Kristi Toliver[18]
|
| May 1, 2023
|
Signed Emily Engstler to a Training Camp Contract[19]
|
| May 7, 2023
|
Waived Evina Westbrook and Alisia Jenkins[20]
|
| May 14, 2023
|
Waived Stephanie Jones and Elena Tsineke[21]
|
| May 17, 2023
|
Waived Jazmine Jones and Emily Engstler[22]
|
| June 19, 2023
|
Temporarily suspend the contract of Li Meng due to Overseas Commitments
|
| June 20, 2023
|
Signed Abby Meyers to a Hardship Contract[23]
|
| June 30, 2023
|
Signed Linnae Harper to a Hardship Contract[24]
|
| July 4, 2023
|
Released Abby Meyers and Linnae Harper from their Hardship Contracts[25]
|
| Traded Amanda Zahui B to the Indiana Fever in exchange for Queen Egbo[26]
|
| July 5, 2023
|
Activated the temporarily suspended contract of Li Meng due to Overseas Commitments
|
| Signed Linnae Harper to a Hardship Contract[27]
|
| July 12, 2023
|
Signed Cyesha Goree to a Hardship Contract[28]
|
| July 21, 2023
|
Signed Abby Meyers to a 7-Day Contract[29]
|
| July 28, 2023
|
Signed Abby Meyers to a 2nd 7-Day Contract
|
| August 4, 2023
|
Signed Abby Meyers to a 3rd 7-Day Contract
|
| August 7, 2023
|
Released Abby Meyers from the 7-Day Contract[30]
|
| August 12, 2023
|
Released Linnae Harper from the Hardship Contract
|
| August 13, 2023
|
Signed Jennie Simms to a 7-Day Contract[31]
|
| August 14, 2023
|
Released Cyesha Goree from the Hardship Contract[32]
|
| August 15, 2023
|
Signed Ariel Atkins to a Contract Extension[33]
|
Roster Changes
Roster
| 2023 Washington Mystics roster |
|---|
| Players | Coaches |
|---|
| Pos. | No. | Nat. | Name | Height | Weight | DOB | From | Yrs |
|---|
| G | 7 | | Atkins, Ariel | 5' 8" (1.73m) | 167 lb (76kg) | 1996-07-30 | Texas | 5 | | C | 0 | | Austin, Shakira | 6' 5" (1.96m) | 190 lb (86kg) | 2000-07-25 | Mississippi | 1 | | G | 9 | | Cloud, Natasha | 5' 9" (1.75m) | 160 lb (73kg) | 1992-02-22 | Saint Joseph's | 7 | | G/F | 11 | | Delle Donne, Elena | 6' 5" (1.96m) | 187 lb (85kg) | 1989-09-05 | Delaware | 9 | | C | 4 | | Egbo, Queen | 6' 4" (1.93m) | 190 lb (86kg) | 2000-06-29 | Baylor | 1 | | F | 21 | | Hawkins, Tianna | 6' 3" (1.91m) | 186 lb (84kg) | 1991-03-02 | Maryland | 9 | | F | 2 | | Hines-Allen, Myisha | 6' 2" (1.88m) | 200 lb (91kg) | 1996-05-30 | Louisville | 5 | | F | 3 | | Li Meng | 6' 0" (1.83m) | 198 lb (90kg) | 1995-01-02 | China | R | | G | 15 | | Sykes, Brittney | 5' 9" (1.75m) | 154 lb (70kg) | 1994-02-07 | Syracuse | 6 | | G | 20 | | Toliver, Kristi | 5' 7" (1.7m) | 130 lb (59kg) | 1987-01-27 | Maryland | 13 | | G | 32 | | Walker-Kimbrough, Shatori | 5' 9" (1.75m) | 140 lb (64kg) | 1995-05-18 | Maryland | 6 | | G | – | | Alarcón, Txell (DP) | 5' 10" (1.78m) | | 2003-07-31 | Spain | – |
|
- Head coach
- Eric Thibault (Missouri)
- Assistant coaches
- LaToya Sanders (North Carolina)
- Shelley Patterson (Washington State)
- Ashlee McGee (Austin Peay)
- Athletic trainer
- Christina Kennedy
- Legend
- (C) Team captain
- (DP) Unsigned draft pick
- (FA) Free agent
- (S) Suspended
- Injured
|
Depth
Schedule
Preseason
Regular Season
2023 game log
Total: 19–21 (Home: 12–8; Road: 7–13)
|
May: 2–2 (Home: 1–1; Road: 1–1)
|
June
: 7–4 (Home: 4–1; Road: 3–3)
| Game |
Date |
Team |
Score |
High points |
High rebounds |
High assists |
Location
Attendance |
Record
|
| 5
|
June 2
|
Dallas
|
W 75–74
|
Elena Delle Donne (23)
|
Shakira Austin (11)
|
Natasha Cloud (8)
|
Entertainment and Sports Arena
3,294
|
3–2
|
| 6
|
June 3
|
Minnesota
|
L 78–80
|
Ariel Atkins (18)
|
Shakira Austin (10)
|
Natasha Cloud (9)
|
Entertainment and Sports Arena
3,534
|
3–3
|
| 7
|
June 9
|
@ Seattle
|
W 73–66
|
Brittney Sykes (18)
|
Shakira Austin (11)
|
Ariel Atkins (6)
|
Climate Pledge Arena
8,397
|
4–3
|
| 8
|
June 11
|
@ Seattle
|
W 71–65
|
Natasha Cloud (19)
|
Shakira Austin (9)
|
Natasha Cloud (5)
|
Climate Pledge Arena
13,213
|
5–3
|
| 9
|
June 13
|
@ Indiana
|
L 66–87
|
Elena Delle Donne (17)
|
Delle Donne
Sykes (6)
|
Natasha Cloud (5)
|
Gainbridge Fieldhouse
3,005
|
5–4
|
| 10
|
June 16
|
Phoenix
|
W 88–69
|
Elena Delle Donne (17)
|
Tianna Hawkins (8)
|
Ariel Atkins (5)
|
Entertainment and Sports Arena
4,200
|
6–4
|
| 11
|
June 18
|
Chicago
|
W 77–69
|
Elena Delle Donne (20)
|
Delle Donne
Sykes (6)
|
Natasha Cloud (5)
|
Entertainment and Sports Arena
4,009
|
7–4
|
| 12
|
June 22
|
@ Chicago
|
W 80–59
|
Elena Delle Donne (18)
|
Brittney Sykes (11)
|
Brittney Sykes (5)
|
Wintrust Arena
6,158
|
8–4
|
| 13
|
June 25
|
@ New York
|
L 88–89 (OT)
|
Ariel Atkins (24)
|
Cloud
Delle Donne (6)
|
Natasha Cloud (11)
|
Barclays Center
7,285
|
8–5
|
| 14
|
June 28
|
Atlanta
|
W 109–86
|
Elena Delle Donne (25)
|
Tianna Hawkins (11)
|
Brittney Sykes (10)
|
Entertainment and Sports Arena
3,624
|
9–5
|
| 15
|
June 30
|
@ Atlanta
|
L 89–94
|
Elena Delle Donne (31)
|
Brittney Sykes (6)
|
Natasha Cloud (6)
|
Gateway Center Arena
3,209
|
9–6
|
|
July
: 3–7 (Home: 3–2; Road: 0–5)
| Game |
Date |
Team |
Score |
High points |
High rebounds |
High assists |
Location
Attendance |
Record
|
| 16
|
July 2
|
@ Dallas
|
L 72–89
|
Ariel Atkins (20)
|
Tianna Hawkins (11)
|
Natasha Cloud (6)
|
College Park Center
4,544
|
9–7
|
| 17
|
July 7
|
Indiana
|
W 96–88
|
Brittney Sykes (29)
|
Ariel Atkins (10)
|
Tianna Hawkins (5)
|
Entertainment and Sports Arena
4,200
|
10–7
|
| 18
|
July 9
|
@ Connecticut
|
L 84–92
|
Tianna Hawkins (24)
|
Queen Egbo (7)
|
Brittney Sykes (7)
|
Mohegan Sun Arena
6,558
|
10–8
|
| 19
|
July 11
|
Seattle
|
W 93–86
|
Brittney Sykes (26)
|
Queen Egbo (8)
|
Natasha Cloud (8)
|
Entertainment and Sports Arena
3,571
|
11–8
|
| 20
|
July 19
|
Indiana
|
L 76–82
|
Natasha Cloud (19)
|
Tianna Hawkins (9)
|
Brittney Sykes (7)
|
Capital One Arena
14,406
|
11–9
|
| 21
|
July 21
|
New York
|
L 87–96
|
Brittney Sykes (29)
|
Brittney Sykes (10)
|
Natasha Cloud (5)
|
Entertainment and Sports Arena
4,200
|
11–10
|
| 22
|
July 23
|
Phoenix
|
W 84–69
|
Cloud
Sykes (23)
|
Egbo
Hawkins (7)
|
Natasha Cloud (9)
|
Entertainment and Sports Arena
4,200
|
12–10
|
| 23
|
July 26
|
@ Minnesota
|
L 92–97
|
Natasha Cloud (24)
|
Egbo
Hines-Allen (7)
|
Natasha Cloud (6)
|
Target Center
7,024
|
12–11
|
| 24
|
July 28
|
@ Dallas
|
62–90
|
Shatori Walker-Kimbrough (14)
|
Brittney Sykes (5)
|
Brittney Sykes (4)
|
College Park Center
4,048
|
12–12
|
| 25
|
July 30
|
@ Atlanta
|
L 73–80
|
Brittney Sykes (25)
|
Tianna Hawkins (10)
|
Natasha Cloud (4)
|
Gateway Center Arena
3,209
|
12–13
|
|
August
: 5–6 (Home: 4–3; Road: 1–3)
| Game |
Date |
Team |
Score |
High points |
High rebounds |
High assists |
Location
Attendance |
Record
|
| 26
|
August 4
|
Los Angeles
|
W 79–77
|
Tianna Hawkins (17)
|
Egbo
Hines-Allen (9)
|
Brittney Sykes (8)
|
Entertainment and Sports Arena
3,747
|
13–13
|
| 27
|
August 6
|
Los Angeles
|
L 83–91
|
Tianna Hawkins (23)
|
Natasha Cloud (6)
|
Natasha Cloud (7)
|
Entertainment and Sports Arena
4,073
|
13–14
|
| 28
|
August 8
|
@ Phoenix
|
L 72–91
|
Brittney Sykes (24)
|
Queen Egbo (6)
|
Myisha Hines-Allen (7)
|
Footprint Center
6,610
|
13–15
|
| 29
|
August 11
|
@ Las Vegas
|
L 89–113
|
Natasha Cloud (21)
|
Tianna Hawkins (10)
|
Cloud
Skyes (6)
|
Michelob Ultra Arena
9,364
|
13–16
|
| 30
|
August 13
|
Chicago
|
L 76–83
|
Brittney Sykes (30)
|
Cloud
Hawkins (6)
|
Cloud
Sykes (6)
|
Entertainment and Sports Arena
3,796
|
14–16
|
| 31
|
August 18
|
@ Indiana
|
W 83–79
|
Brittney Sykes (30)
|
Myisha Hines-Allen (6)
|
Brittney Sykes (4)
|
Gainbridge Fieldhouse
3,506
|
15–16
|
| 32
|
August 20
|
Dallas
|
L 84–97
|
Natasha Cloud (22)
|
Myisha Hines-Allen (8)
|
Myisha Hines-Allen (6)
|
Entertainment and Sports Arena
4,200
|
15–17
|
| 33
|
August 22
|
Connecticut
|
L 64–68
|
Natasha Cloud (19)
|
Queen Egbo (8)
|
Natasha Cloud (5)
|
Entertainment and Sports Arena
3,058
|
15–18
|
| 34
|
August 26
|
Las Vegas
|
W 78–62
|
Elena Delle Donne (21)
|
Austin
Delle Donne
Hawkins (7)
|
Natasha Cloud (9)
|
Entertainment and Sports Arena
4,200
|
16–18
|
| 35
|
August 29
|
Minnesota
|
W 83–72
|
Brittney Sykes (21)
|
Brittney Sykes (8)
|
Natasha Cloud (9)
|
Entertainment and Sports Arena
3,708
|
17–18
|
| 36
|
August 31
|
@ Las Vegas
|
L 75–84
|
Elena Delle Donne (17)
|
Hines-Allen
Sykes (7)
|
Cloud
Sykes (5)
|
Michelob Ultra Arena
8,619
|
17–19
|
|
September
: 2–2 (Home: 0–1; Road: 2–1)
|
| 2023 season schedule
|
Playoffs
Standings
Notes
- (#) – League Standing
- x – Clinched playoff berth
- e – Eliminated from postseason contention
- Source: Overall standings and Commissioner's Cup Standings
Playoffs
- Bold – Series winner
- Italic – Team with home-court advantage
Statistics
Regular Season
‡Waived/Released during the season
†Traded during the season
≠Acquired during the season
Playoffs
Awards and honors
References
- ^ Pickman, Ben. "Mystics' Mike Thibault retires from coaching, will continue as GM; son Eric to take over as coach". theathletic.com. The Athletic. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
- ^ "WASHINGTON MYSTICS TO PICK FOURTH IN 2023 WNBA DRAFT". mystics.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
- ^ "Mystics Acquire Future Draft Picks". mystics.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
- ^ "MIKE THIBAULT TO RETIRE FROM COACHING". mystics.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
- ^ @RachGall (January 14, 2023). "The Washington Mystics extended Qualifying Offers to Rui Machida, Jazmine Jones, and Evina Westbrook. @Winsidr" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ @WashMystics (January 20, 2023). "Welcome back, @evinawestbrook! #TogetherDC" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ @WashMystics (January 23, 2023). "Jazmine Jones has signed a training camp contract!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "Mystics Sign Brittney Sykes!". mystics.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
- ^ "Mystics Re-Sign Shatori Walker-Kimbrough!". mystics.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
- ^ @WashMystics (February 2, 2023). "Tianna has signed a training camp contract" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ @WashMystics (February 2, 2023). "Alisia has signed a training camp contract" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "Aces Acquire Pair Of Second Round Picks From Washington". aces.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
- ^ @WashMystics (February 6, 2023). "Stephanie has signed a training camp contract" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "Mystics Sign Amanda Zahui B." mystics.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
- ^ "Mystics Sign Li Meng to Training Camp Contract". mystics.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
- ^ "Washington Mystics Name Ashlee McGee Assistant Coach". mystics.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
- ^ @DallasWings (April 10, 2023). "🚨 Trade Alert 🚨 Welcome to Dallas, Stephanie! #WNBADraft" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "Mystics Sign All-Star Veteran Guard Kristi Toliver". mystics.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
- ^ @WashMystics (May 1, 2023). "Welcome to the District, @em__baller‼️ We have signed Emily to a training camp contract" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ @WashMystics (May 7, 2023). "We have waived Evina Westbrook and Alisia Jenkins" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ @WashMystics (May 14, 2023). "Roster Update ⬇️ We have waived Stephanie Jones and Elena Tsineke" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ @WashMystics (May 17, 2023). "Roster Update: We have waived Jazmine Jones and Emily Engstler" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ @kareemcopeland (June 20, 2023). "The Mystics have signed former Maryland guard Abby Meyers to a hardship contract. The team will be without Li Meng until early July as she goes to play in the Asia Cup. But sounds like there's more roster news coming. #wnba" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ @WashMystics (June 30, 2023). "Welcome back to DC! We have signed @Nae_2smoove to a hardship contract" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ @WashMystics (July 4, 2023). "Roster Update: We have waived Abby Meyers and Linnae Harper. Thank you both!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "Mystics Acquire Queen Egbo". mystics.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
- ^ @WashMystics (July 5, 2023). "Roster Update: We have re-signed Linnae Harper to a hardship contract" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ @WashMystics (July 12, 2023). "Roster Update: Join us in welcoming Cyesha Goree to DC ‼️" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ @WashMystics (July 21, 2023). "Welcome back, Abby ‼️ She has been signed to a hardship contract" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ @WashMystics (August 7, 2023). "Roster Update: We have released Abby Meyers. Thank you, Abby!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ @WashMystics (August 13, 2023). "Roster Update: We have signed Jennie Simms to a hardship contract! Welcome back! #BallOnOurTerms" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ @WashMystics (August 14, 2023). "Roster Update: We have released Cyesha Goree from her hardship contract. Thank you, Cyesha!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "Ariel Atkins Signs Multi-Year Extension". mystics.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
- ^ "Connecticut Sun's Alyssa Thomas, Washington Mystics' Elena Delle Donne Highlight Reserves For 2023 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game". wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved July 1, 2023.
- ^ @WNBA (September 22, 2023). "Your 2023 WNBA All-Defensive First Team ⬇️ @_ajawilson22 @athomas_25 @BrittBundlez @breannastewart @jordin_canada #MoreThanGame" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "Indiana Fever's Aliyah Boston Named 2023 Kia WNBA Rookie of the Year". WNBA. October 2, 2023. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
External links
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| Franchise | |
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