The Seattle Storm head to CareFirst Arena on Sunday afternoon to face the Washington Mystics in a 12:00 PM EDT showdown, airing on Monumental Sports Network and CW Seattle. Tickets start as low as $34, giving D.C. fans a chance to catch this playoff-relevant clash. The Storm, with a 17-18 record, are 2.5-point road favorites with an over/under of 159.5 points, fighting to secure their playoff spot. The Mystics, at 16-21, are coming off a tough 91-81 loss to the Aces and need a win to keep their postseason hopes alive. With Washington leading the season series 2-1, this game’s got all the makings of a tight battle.
Position-by-Position Breakdown
Point Guard – Skylar Diggins-Smith runs Seattle’s offense with 17.8 points and 6.4 assists, a veteran leader who’s been clutch in big moments. Veronica Burton anchors the Mystics with 7.6 points and 3.7 assists, bringing defensive grit but needing to stay sharp against Diggins-Smith’s speed.
Shooting Guard – Jewell Loyd is Seattle’s scoring spark, averaging 19.7 points and coming off a 22-point performance. Sonia Citron counters for Washington with 15.3 points, a rookie star who’s been a consistent scoring threat, hitting double digits in her last 10 games.
Small Forward – Gabby Williams gives the Storm two-way versatility, averaging 12.2 points and 4.4 assists, fresh off a 12-point, eight-rebound game. Alysha Clark provides the Mystics with veteran savvy and defensive hustle, though her offense (5.1 PPG) will need a boost.
Power Forward – Nneka Ogwumike is Seattle’s cornerstone, averaging 18.0 points and 7.2 rebounds, dominating inside and out. Shakira Austin, questionable with a hip injury, leads Washington with 12.8 points and 8.6 rebounds, but her status could shift the matchup.
Center – Ezi Magbegor anchors Seattle’s paint with 8.1 points and 6.2 rebounds, a rim protector who’s key to their defense. Kiki Iriafen holds it down for the Mystics with 12.3 points and 6.6 rebounds, ready to battle for boards.
Game Outlook
The Storm are trending up, winning two straight and ranking fifth in field goal shooting (45.7%) and defense (79.8 PPG allowed). They dropped two of three games to Washington this season, including a 74-69 loss on July 13, but bounced back with a 58-69 win on July 26. The Mystics, despite their 16-21 record, are tough at home (9-9) and rank sixth in defense (80.7 PPG allowed), though their offense lags at 10th (78.9 PPG). Both teams play at a moderate pace, with Seattle slightly faster (sixth in the league). If Austin plays, Washington could keep it close with their rebounding edge (35.4 RPG), but Seattle’s depth and hot shooting should give them the upper hand.
Best Bets
- Seattle Storm -2.5 – Seattle’s recent form and balanced attack make them a solid pick to cover on the road against a Mystics team reeling from two straight losses.
- Under 159.5 Total Points – Both teams’ strong defenses and moderate pace suggest a game that could stay under this total, as seen in their low-scoring July meetings.
- Skylar Diggins-Smith Over 17.5 Points – Diggins-Smith’s cleared this mark in 15 of her last 20 games and should get plenty of looks against Washington’s perimeter defense.
Final Score Prediction
Seattle Storm 82 – Washington Mystics 78
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