Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. EDT
Venue: CareFirst Arena, Washington, DC
This is a late-season Eastern Conference matchup. The Mystics have clinched a playoff berth and sit near the top of the East (tied for 3rd/4th depending on tiebreakers). The Sun are near the bottom of the conference and league, in the final stages of a rebuild/relocation transition year.
Tip-Off and Broadcast
Scheduled tip-off is 7:30 p.m. EDT. Available on WNBA League Pass, with local options including Monumental Sports Network (Mystics) and NBCS-BOS/NBCSN elements for the Sun.
Current Rosters
Washington Mystics (youth-heavy core built around recent high draft picks):
Key contributors: Shakira Austin (C, ~17.0 PPG, 9.4 RPG), Sonia Citron (G, ~16.8 PPG, 4.4 APG), Kiki Iriafen (F, ~15.5 PPG, 9.6 RPG), Michaela Onyenwere (F), Georgia Amoore (G), Lauren Betts (C), Cotie McMahon, Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, Angela Dugalic, and others (Lucy Olsen, Alicia Flórez, Cassandre Prosper, Rori Harmon, etc.).
Connecticut Sun (struggling offense, depleted frontcourt):
Key contributors: Leila Lacan (G, assists leader), Charlisse Leger-Walker (G), Aaliyah Edwards (F), Diamond Miller (F), Hailey Van Lith (G), Saniya Rivers (G when available), and remaining depth including Ashlon Jackson, Gianna Kneepkens, Raegan Beers, Nell Angloma, Rayah Marshall. Brittney Griner and Olivia Nelson-Ododa are primary bigs when healthy.
Injury Reports
Connecticut Sun:
Brittney Griner (C) — Out (knee).
Olivia Nelson-Ododa (C) — Out (knee).
Kennedy Burke (G/F) — Out for season (shoulder).
Saniya Rivers (G) — Out (ankle).
Rayah Marshall (C) — Out (coach’s decision).
The Sun are severely depleted in the paint and lack size/depth.
Washington Mystics:
Shakira Austin (C) — Out/Questionable (right knee; exited the Sept. 20 win over Indiana and is listed with an estimated return of Sept. 22; precautionary with playoffs approaching).
Sonia Citron had a recent personal absence but returned and played productively against Indiana (16 points, 9 assists). Other reports list her as available.
Status can change; check official reports closer to tip-off.
Recent Team Forms
Sun: On a 5-game losing streak (last 10: roughly 2-8). Recent results include losses to Minnesota (89-101), Atlanta (59-103), Dallas, Indiana, and Golden State. They average ~78.7 PPG (near bottom of league) while allowing ~88.5. Poor shooting efficiency (especially from three) and rebounding issues compound the injury problems.
Mystics: Strong recent form with a 2-game winning streak and solid last 10 (~7-3). Wins over Indiana (93-77) and Chicago (110-80). They rank highly in rebounding (especially offensive boards, led by Iriafen) and play solid defense (allowing ~82.8 PPG). Home record is strong.
Series History (2026 Season)
The teams have met three times already:
Mystics won 88-81 (June 17, road).
Sun won 68-57 (June 26, home).
Mystics won 92-84 (July 28, home; Citron scored 22).
This is the fourth and final regular-season meeting. Historically (recent seasons), the series has been competitive, though the Mystics hold the edge in 2026.
Key Player vs. Player Matchups
Frontcourt / Rebounding battle: Kiki Iriafen and (if available) Shakira Austin/Lauren Betts vs. the Sun’s depleted bigs (Edwards, remaining depth without Griner/Nelson-Ododa). Mystics dominate the glass (league-leading or near-leading rebounding); expect second-chance points to be a major factor.
Perimeter creation: Sonia Citron and Georgia Amoore vs. Leila Lacan / Charlisse Leger-Walker. Citron’s scoring and playmaking (recent strong form) against a Sun backcourt that generates steals but struggles to score efficiently.
Overall physicality: Mystics’ size and athleticism should control the paint and transition. Sun rely on hustle and steals but lack finishing ability without their primary centers.
Betting Trends
Mystics strong at home and against weaker Eastern Conference teams; good ATS performance in many recent wins.
Sun poor overall (especially road), frequent large deficits, and struggling against the spread in losing streaks. Totals often trend toward the under when Connecticut’s offense is limited, though opponent blowouts can push overs.
Head-to-head: Mixed results this year, but Mystics won the most recent home meeting comfortably.
GAME ODDS
Connecticut Sun 159
Washington Mystics – 16
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, September 21, 2026
