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A Glimpse of the Future: Rebuilding Mystics and Wings Clash Amidst Losing Streaks
It is a match that is firmly focused on the future. As the WNBA season heads into its final stretch, two teams that made significant moves at the trade deadline to reshape their rosters will meet on Sunday in Arlington, Texas, both in the midst of frustrating losing streaks. The visiting Washington Mystics and the host Dallas Wings are no longer in the hunt for a championship in 2025; instead, their focus has shifted to development, evaluation, and building a foundation for the years to come. Sunday’s game is a crucial opportunity for the young players on both sides to make their case and for one of these slumping squads to finally get back in the win column.
A Tale of Two Sell-Offs
The trade deadline was a clear signal of a new era for both of these franchises. The Mystics made the most shocking move, trading away their leading scorer and All-Star guard, Brittney Sykes, to the Seattle Storm. The deal was a clear indication that the organization is committing to a full-scale rebuild, prioritizing future assets over present-day wins. The move has left a massive void in their lineup and in their locker room, and the team is still trying to adjust to life without their go-to scorer.
The Dallas Wings made their own significant move, dealing talented but inconsistent wing DiJonai Carrington to the Minnesota Lynx. While not as seismic as the Sykes trade, it was another move with an eye on the future. “When we were approached, we looked at the outcome and saw a chance to get young assets,” said Wings general manager Curt Miller. “Still, it was hard to lose someone like DiJonai, especially given our relationship.” Both teams have now fully embraced the rebuilding process, making every remaining game an audition for their young players.
The table below provides a snapshot of two teams that, while in a rebuild, are hoping to find some positive momentum to close out the season. For more information on all the teams in the league, you can check out the general WNBA teams page.
| Team | Record | Conference Standing | Recent Form (Last 10) |
| Washington Mystics | 13-17 | 5th in East | 4-6 |
| Dallas Wings | 8-23 | 6th in West | 2-8 |
Life After Sykes: Washington’s Search for a New Flow
For the Mystics, the immediate challenge is figuring out how to replace the production of Brittney Sykes. In the two games since the trade, both losses, the team has struggled to find a consistent offensive rhythm. The pressure has fallen on the starting backcourt of Sug Sutton and Jade Melbourne, who have combined for just 20 points on 9-for-30 shooting in the two contests. Center Shakira Austin knows that it will take a collective effort to fill the void.
“Everybody just has to step it up a little bit more,” Austin said. “There’s no pressure for anyone to get up more shots, but we do have to find a new flow. We do have to find what works best.”
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Grounding the Wings: The Bueckers Injury
The Wings are dealing with their own major issue. The undisputed highlight of their difficult season has been the spectacular play of rookie guard Paige Bueckers. The former UConn superstar has been a revelation, but she is currently dealing with a back injury that forced her to miss Friday’s loss to the New York Liberty. Her status for Sunday’s game is uncertain, and her absence would be a devastating blow to a team that relies so heavily on her scoring. Bueckers had scored at least 20 points in four straight games before the injury. How a rebuilding team navigates an injury to its cornerstone player is a key topic for any bettor, one often explored in our expert betting guide.
The Rookie Showcase
Even with the team struggles, this game will feature a fantastic showcase of two of the brightest young stars in the WNBA. Both Washington’s Sonia Citron and Dallas’s Paige Bueckers have established themselves as front-runners for the Rookie of the Year award, and they were both spectacular in the first two meetings between these clubs.
| Player | Team | PPG | RPG | APG |
| Sonia Citron | Washington Mystics | 15.5 | 6.8 | 3.1 |
| Paige Bueckers | Dallas Wings | 18.2 | 3.5 | 4.5 |
The Betting Outlook
The home page has this matchup listed as one to watch. To find out who the top experts are picking, you can check out our list of the best handicappers. To see who our experts are backing in this clash of rebuilding teams, check out our daily WNBA picks. To get access to even more premium content and betting tools, you must first login or register for an account today.
