Washington Mystics

The Washington Mystics are a standout team in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). Based in the nation's capital, they've been thrilling fans since 1998. As one of the first eight teams in the WNBA, the Mystics have a rich history in women's professional basketball. The Mystics play in the Eastern Conference of the WNBA and are closely connected to the Washington Wizards, an NBA team. Over the years, the Mystics have shown their skill by reaching the WNBA Playoffs an impressive thirteen times as of 2023.

Many great players have worn the Mystics jersey of which two stars stand out: Elena Delle Donne and Chamique Holdsclaw. Delle Donne has been named the league's Most Valuable Player twice, showing her incredible impact on the court.

The team has fought hard to reach the WNBA Finals twice. In 2018, they came close but lost to the Seattle Storm. But in 2019, the Mystics achieved their dream, winning their first WNBA Championship.

Washington Mystics History

The Mystics' journey began in 1998 when they joined the WNBA as a new team. Their first year was tough, with only three wins. But things started looking up in 1999 when they picked Chamique Holdsclaw in the draft. Holdsclaw, a star from the University of Tennessee, brought new energy to the team.

With Holdsclaw on board, the Mystics got better quickly. They made it to the playoffs for the first time in 2000, just two years after their difficult start. By 2002, they had become strong enough to reach the Eastern Conference finals, though they lost to the New York Liberty.

A big change came in 2013 when Mike Thibault became the head coach. Under his leadership, the Mystics only missed the playoffs once in seven years. The team got even stronger in 2017 when they signed Elena Delle Donne, a tall and talented player who had already won an MVP award.

Delle Donne helped the Mystics reach new heights. In 2018, she led them to the WNBA finals for the first time. Although they lost to the Seattle Storm, it was clear the Mystics were on the rise. The next year, in 2019, everything came together. The Mystics had their best season ever, winning 26 games. They capped it off by beating the Connecticut Sun in the finals, bringing the WNBA championship to Washington for the first time.

Who is the Washington Mystics Owner?

Ted Leonsis is the principal owner of the Washington Mystics. He's not just the owner of the Mystics, but he's also in charge of Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE). This company owns several sports teams in Washington, D.C.

Leonsis owns the Washington Capitals hockey team, which won the Stanley Cup in 2018. He also owns the Washington Wizards basketball team and the Wizards District Gaming, which won championships in e-sports. But that's not all - Leonsis is responsible for Capital One Arena, where many of these teams play. He also runs training facilities for the teams and other sports venues in the area.

Under Leonsis's leadership, the Mystics have grown stronger. They won their first WNBA championship in 2019, showing how his support has helped the team succeed. Leonsis is known for being very involved with his teams and wanting them to do well both on and off the court.

Washington Mystics Head Coach

Eric Thibault became the head coach of the Washington Mystics in November 2022. Before that, he spent ten years as an assistant coach for the team. In his last four years as an assistant, he was the associate head coach, which means he was second in command.

Thibault knows the Mystics very well. He helped the team reach the playoffs eight times while he was an assistant. He was there when the Mystics made it to the WNBA Finals in 2018 and 2019, and when they won their first and only championship in 2019. Thibault's experience with the Mystics makes him a great fit as their new head coach.

Washington Mystics Jersey

The Washington Mystics updated their look in 2017 with new jerseys. These jerseys show off the team's colors in a smart way. When playing at home, the Mystics wear red uniforms. These have the team's logo with a navy blue ribbon. For away games, they wear blue jerseys with the logo and a red ribbon.

Washington Mystics Home Arena

The Mystics play their home games at the Entertainment & Sports Arena. This arena is special because it's not too big. It can hold 4,200 fans, which makes for an exciting atmosphere.

The seats are close to the court, so fans feel like they're right in the middle of the action. This closeness helps create a strong home advantage for the Mystics. Many people think this arena is one of the best places to watch a WNBA game because you can see everything so well.

Washington Mystics Tickets and Television Coverage

Fans of the Washington Mystics have many ways to watch their team play. For those who live near Washington, D.C., 32 out of 40 games will be shown on local TV. This season, Monumental Sports Network will broadcast these games. But that's not all - some games will also be on national TV. You can catch the Mystics on CBS, ESPN, and ION Television.

There's something new for fans this season too. Monumental Sports Network is creating a special monthly show about the Mystics.

For those who love to know everything about the games, there are special programs before and after each game. "Mystics Pregame Live" gets you ready for the action, while "Mystics Postgame Live" breaks down what happened. Whereas, the tickets for the games are available on the official website of the Washington Mystics.

Washington Mystics Top Players

Vicky Bullet

Vicky Bullett played for the Mystics from 2000 to 2002. She was known for her endurance, starting every game during her time with the team. Bullett even set a record for playing the most minutes in one game - 55 minutes in a long, four-overtime game against Seattle in 2001. After her playing career, she stayed with the team as an assistant coach.

Chamique Holdsclaw

Chamique Holdsclaw was a big star for the Mystics from 1999 to 2004. The team picked her first in the 1999 draft, and she quickly became a fan favorite. Holdsclaw won many awards, including Rookie of the Year and Scoring Champion. Holdsclaw was also a five-time All-Star player and won an Olympic gold medal too.

Murriel Page

Murriel Page was the Mystics' very third overall draft pick in 1998. She played for the team for eight years, from 1998 to 2005. Page was great at scoring close to the basket. She made almost half of her shots, which is very good. On average, she scored about 7 points and got 5 rebounds in each game.

Washington Mystics WNBA Records and Stats