Sparks fire head coach after two season
The Studio IX crew break down the firing of Sparks head coach Lynne Roberts just one day after the regular season ends.
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The No. 4 seed Atlanta Dream will face the No. 5 seed Washington Mystics in the first round of the 2026 WNBA playoffs beginning on Sunday, Sept. 27.
The Dream are peaking the right time, having won nine of 10 heading in the postseason. Allisha Gray leads Atlanta with 19 points a game, one of four Dream players to average double-figure scoring. Angel Reese is leading the league in rebounds and double-doubles.
The Mystics are young, with nine players in the their first or second season in the WNBA. Most Improved Player candidate Shakira Austin is leading Washington in scoring (17 ppg) and is second in rebounds (9.5 rpg). Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen also average double-figure scoring.
Here’s USA TODAY Studio IX’s breakdown of the Dream-Mystics series:
Atlanta Dream (30-14)
Odds to win the WNBA title: +850
Reason for hope: The Dream have a vaunted defense that causes disruption and exploits opposing teams at their weakest points. Offensively, their production is complementary with multiple scoring options, including Angel Reese, Rhyne Howard, Jordin Canada and Allisha Gray.
Reason for concern: Atlanta’s slow starts have been a problem all season, as well as limited bench production. If either of those items become a thing, the Dream could be bounced early.
Stat to know: The Dream lead the league in team steals and have three players who also top the league list. Be careless with the basketball around them if you dare.
First-round outlook: After securing homecourt, the Dream have more than helped themselves. Now, the question remains: After a brutal first-round exit in 2025, can they make it out of the round in 2026?
Washington Mystics (28-16)
Odds to win the WNBA title: +4500
Reason for hope: The Mystics are full of young talent that does not quit. They punish teams with shots and bring suffocating defensive disruption. That kind of productivity goes a long way.
Reason for concern: Washington is really young. Only one player, Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, has deep playoff and championship experience. That could come back to haunt them when the pressure and competition increase.
Stat to know: The Mystics finished the regular season with the third-best defense (103.2 defensive rating). Much of their defensive prowess starts and ends with players like Sonia Citron and Shakira Austin. Don’t sleep on the Mystics.
First-round outlook: Washington has to weather Atlanta’s physicality and fall behind when the Dream push pace. If it can do that, the Mystics could pull off a first-round upset.
How to watch
- Game 1: 7 p.m. ET Sunday, Prime Video
- Game 2: 7 p.m. ET, Wednesday, ESPN
- Game 3 (if necessary): Thursday, TBD
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