Story By: Erin Zollars
Photos By: Sol Tucker
Toronto, Ontario–
The Washington Mystics opened the 2026 WNBA season as the youngest roster in the league, but with Shakira Austin in the line-up tonight, it was her veteran presence that held off a late run by the Tempo to spoil the very first game in franchise history tonight in Toronto, 68-65.
Austin who struggled a bit from the line tonight, hit two big shots, when it really mattered with 17 seconds remaining in the game. Toronto gave her two more chances with 10 seconds remaining the game that finally slowed the rally by the Tempo that saw them creep all the way back and take the lead with under one minute to play.
With Austin taking a lot of the in the paint action tonight, that left Sonia Citron with another great performance with 26 points, picking up right where she left off in the 2025 season. If the Mystics are able to keep both of these players healthy and they have Kiki and Lauren ready to add their scoring, this young team might just be the good mix they weren’t sure they would have.
Former Mystics standout added 14 points, but Toronto struggled with shooting, finishing 17-for-63 from the field. Sykes really struggled to hit some of her bigger shots she was known for during her time in Washington.
While the Tempo had their struggles from the field, the Mystics shot just 21 percent on 5 of 24 from long range. They also had their struggles late in the game when it came to foul trouble and Cassandre Prosper fouled out with 2 points in 19 minutes as a starter tonight.
Marina Mabrey led all scorers with 27 points and pulled down seven boards for the expansion Tempo (0-1).
The Mystics will have a day off tomorrow as they travel back to D.C and get ready for the Liberty on Sunday at 3pm.
