Mystics Clinch Playoff Berth, Capping a Season-Long Turnaround The Washington Mystics have clinched a berth in the 2026 WNBA playoffs, securing their first postseason appearance since 2023 with a 105-100 road win over the Portland Fire on Sunday. The result, combined with a Chicago Sky loss elsewhere, made the clinch official. A Comeback Effort Washington trailed by as many as 14 points in the second half before rallying to close out the win. Shakira Austin led the effort with a career-high 31 points and 10 rebounds, but the comeback reflected contributions across the roster rather than a single performance. Austin’s night followed a stretch in which she was named the WNBA’s Eastern Conference Player of the Week, part of a broader trend of expanded offensive responsibility for the team’s frontcourt. Built Through Development, Not Just Additions What distinguishes this season is the composition of the roster doing the clinching. Washington enters the postseason with one of the younge...