The Washington Mystics have clinched at least the No. 6 seed in the 2026 WNBA Playoffs with the Dallas Wings winning 103-91 over the Seattle Storm last night, securing them a 27-17 record. Tonight the Mystics host the Chicago Skyfor their regular season finale.
Still, Washington has something to play for besides finishing the 2026 regular season at Capital One Arena. If they lose, Washington is still the No. 6 seed and would likely play against the Las Vegas Aces in the first round. But if the Mystics
win AND the current No. 5 seed Indiana Fever lose to the Minnesota Lynx, then the Mystics will move to the No. 5 seed because they own the tiebreaker over Indiana.
Do I expect the Mystics to get the No. 5 seed however? I’m not sure. The Lynx have clinched the No. 1 seed in the playoffs so there’s reason to just rest the starters. However, the New York Liberty are the No. 8 seed in the playoffs, a recent WNBA champion and a team that was supposed to be better than the Wings or the Mystics on paper.
Still, I think the Lynx will have no problem resting the starters, so hoping for an Indiana loss tonight is wishful thinking.
Either way, I’m pleased with how far the Mystics have come this season. And I don’t mind the Mystics moving up to the No. 5 seed either.
