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Mystics vs Lynx Prediction: Can Short-Handed Washington Challenge Minnesota?
The Minnesota Lynx welcome the retooled Washington Mystics to Target Center on Friday night for a battle between a title contender and a rebuilding squad in transition. Tip-off is set for 8:00 PM ET.
Minnesota (25-5) leads the WNBA and is riding a three-game win streak despite missing MVP frontrunner Napheesa Collier (ankle). Washington (13-16), losers of three straight, enters fresh off trading away two core players — including top scorer Brittney Sykes — as it shifts focus to the future.
The Lynx are favored at -11.5, with a moneyline near -650, while the Mystics are priced at +450. The over/under sits at 164.5 points.
Ride the Momentum
Smart bets, hot streaks
Mystics Can Win If…
Their young backcourt finds instant chemistry. With Sykes traded to Seattle and Aaliyah Edwards sent to Connecticut, Washington is turning to rookie guard Sonia Citron to take the lead.
Citron had just 13 points Tuesday — well below her 28-point explosion the week prior — but she remains confident in the team approach.
“Everybody just has to do a little bit more because Slim [Sykes] impacted our team in so many ways,” Citron said. “It’s just everybody doing a little bit more.”
The Mystics rank in the bottom third in scoring, field goal percentage, and turnovers, and they’ve lost their last two games by double digits. To pull off a major upset, Washington must get efficient play from Jacy Sheldon, their newest acquisition, and keep turnovers in check against Minnesota’s aggressive defense.
Lynx Can Win If…
They stay balanced and keep up their pace without Collier. Minnesota pulled out a hard-fought 91-87 win at Seattle on Tuesday behind Courtney Williams’ 20 points and DiJonai Carrington’s fourth-quarter spark.
“This is a group of winners and I’m a winner, too,” said Carrington, who scored 10 of her 13 in the final period. “You could feel the energy every huddle, every possession.”
The Lynx have won three straight, averaging over 88 points per game during that stretch. With the Mystics in roster flux, Minnesota’s depth — including Diamond Miller and Alanna Smith — should be more than enough to control the tempo and dominate the glass.
Key WNBA Betting Trends
| Trend Type | Minnesota Lynx | Washington Mystics |
|---|---|---|
| ATS Record | 20-10 ATS (Top 2 in WNBA) | 12-16-1 ATS |
| Recent Form | 3-0 SU / 2-1 ATS last 3 games | 0-3 SU / 1-2 ATS last 3 games |
| Head-to-Head (2025) | Series tied 1-1 (home team won both matchups) | Lost last 2 games by 10+ points |
| O/U Record | Over is 5-2 in Lynx’s last 7 games | Under is 4-2 in Mystics’ last 6 road games |
The Lean
Minnesota is simply deeper, more organized, and more motivated. Even without Collier, the Lynx have enough scoring options to handle a Mystics team in transition mode.
Prediction: Lynx 86, Mystics 71
Best Bet: Lynx -11.5
Bonus Lean: Over 164.5
Need more WNBA Picks and expert predictions? ScoresAndStats offers daily breakdowns from league insiders and sharp bettors.
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