Right before the Washington Mystics tipped off against the defending champion Las Vegas Aces, the team announced that Brittney Sykes would be sidelined with a leg injury. It wasn’t the bruising, hard-fought kind that shows on the stat sheet or the highlight reels; this one was quiet, a nagging ankle injury that apparently happened during practice. The team hasn’t released full details, but those who watched closely knew Sykes hadn’t shown any signs of trouble in recent games. It’s unlikely she got hurt during play — no limping off the court, no grimaces mid-game. Yet here we are, with the Mystics suddenly missing their fiercest weapon.

It’s still unclear how severe the sprain is, but for now, according to the latest update from WNBA Underdogs, Sykes was officially listed as out with no clear timetable for return. She’s back in D.C., not traveling with the team, and undergoing further evaluation and treatment.

Her absence is more than just a missing stat line—it’s a momentum killer for the Mystics. Averaging 26.3 points per game, Sykes wasn’t just the team’s leading scorer; she was the emotional heartbeat and defensive anchor, setting the tone on both ends of the floor. Before the game, Aces head coach Becky Hammon was asked to name the keys to stopping the Mystics. Without hesitation, she said, “Keep the ball away from Brittney Sykes,” repeating it three times. Why such emphasis? Because Sykes, fresh off a near-MVP, 30-point performance against the Golden State Valkyries, had been carving defenses up all season—an unstoppable force the Aces now didn’t have to worry about. The worst part? This isn’t an isolated injury, either. The Mystics’ injury report is looking more like a roll call of absences:

The bigger concern now is the severity and timeline of her recovery, as the Mystics have yet to offer any clarity. That uncertainty is especially frustrating for fans and the team alike, as their leading scorer, averaging 26.3 points per game, won’t be available. However, for Sykes, this setback may not hit as hard emotionally as last season’s injury. In 2024, she suffered a high ankle sprain less than six minutes into the Mystics’ second game. That incident marked the start of one of the most injury-plagued years of her pro career.

• Brittney “Slim” Sykes: Ruled out unexpectedly for the game against the Aces due to a right leg injury believed to have occurred during a recent practice session. The team hasn’t released full details yet, and her return timeline remains unclear. 
  
• Georgia Amoore: The No. 6 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft will miss the entire season as she continues rehab following surgery to repair a torn right ACL suffered during training camp. 
  
• Aaliyah Edwards: Diagnosed with a lower back contusion three weeks ago and was expected to be re-evaluated in two weeks, but no official update has followed. Edwards had been a standout addition, even defeating former MVP Breanna Stewart in the opening round of the Unrivaled 1-on-1 tournament. 
  
• Shakira Austin: Out due to concussion protocol, per ESPN, with no specified return date.

Still, the show must go on. And for the Washington Mystics, that means turning to the next players up—not because they’re fully ready, but because they have to be.

Rookies step up: Mystics’ young guns shine amid injury woes

Kiki Iriafen didn’t need an easing-in period to find her rhythm—she just walked in and got to work. The No. 4 overall pick has been one of the Mystics’ brightest sparks in a season riddled with setbacks. Against the defending champion Aces, she logged her third straight double-double with 17 points and 13 rebounds, going head-to-head with none other than A’ja Wilson. Iriafen didn’t look out of place for a second. She’s now averaging 13.7 points and 10 rebounds in 30.1 minutes per game, proving herself not just as a fill-in but a foundational piece.

Sonia Citron, the Mystics’ third overall pick, also came through in the clutch. She poured in 19 points against Las Vegas, including four shots from beyond the arc that kept the Mystics in the hunt until the final minutes. What’s more impressive is how confidently she carried herself. With Sykes, Amoore, Edwards, and Austin out, Citron didn’t look like a rookie—she looked like someone ready to lead.

And so, the Mystics have stayed competitive. They started the season strong with wins over the Sun and the Dream, and though they narrowly lost to the Valkyries and Aces, the team’s sixth-best offensive and net ratings in the league show there’s more fight in them than anyone expected.