Two teams desperate to end their respective slumps will clash on Sunday afternoon as the Washington Mystics travel to face the Dallas Wings in a crucial WNBA matchup. Both squads enter the contest on four-game losing streaks, making this final regular-season meeting a pivotal moment to build momentum.
The game, scheduled for Sunday, August 10, at 4:00 p.m. ET at College Park Center in Arlington, Texas, will serve as the rubber match in a season series that has been tightly contested. The series is currently tied 1-1, with each team defending its home court in the previous encounters.
The first matchup on June 22 was a thriller that went into overtime. The Mystics emerged with a 91-88 victory, thanks to a stellar performance from rookie Sonia Citron. She scored a season-high 27 points, including the go-ahead 3-pointer with just 12.2 seconds left in the extra period. Shakira Austin also contributed a significant 21 points for Washington, while Dallas’s Arike Ogunbowale matched Citron with 27 points in a losing effort.
Just six days later, the Wings evened the score. On June 28, Dallas secured a 79-71 win, led by strong performances from their rookies. JJ Quinerly scored a season-high 15 points in her first career start, and fellow first-year player Aziaha James also chipped in 15 points. For the Mystics, Citron was once again a key offensive force, putting up 22 points.
As they head into the finale, both teams are navigating difficult stretches. The Mystics (13-17) have seen their playoff aspirations fade, having lost seven of their last ten games. Their recent struggles were compounded by the trade of All-Star Brittney Sykes before the deadline, and they have a challenging 4-11 record on the road this season. In their most recent loss, an 80-76 defeat, Citron led the team with 26 points, while Kiki Iriafen added 12 points and nine rebounds.
The Dallas Wings (8-23) sit near the bottom of the WNBA standings but have a significant reason for optimism heading into Sunday’s game. According to a report from Sports Illustrated, rookie sensation Paige Bueckers is listed as probable to return after missing the team’s last game with a back injury. Bueckers has been a standout this season, averaging 18.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game. Her presence will be a major boost for a Wings team that has earned five of its eight wins at home. In her only prior game against the Mystics, Bueckers scored 20 points.
The Wings will also likely have Myisha Hines-Allen back in the lineup, who is also listed as probable. However, they will be without guard Ty Harris. The Mystics will be missing Georgia Amoore due to injury.
With both teams eager to get back in the win column and Dallas potentially welcoming back its franchise cornerstone, Sunday’s game promises to be a hard-fought battle. For the Mystics, a win is crucial to keep their slim playoff hopes alive. For the Wings, it’s an opportunity to end their skid and build positive momentum around their young core. The game will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network.
