After a 92-69 defeat to the Dallas Wings on Monday, the Washington Mystics adjusted their frontcourt rotation, with rookie center Lauren Betts scoring 11 points in 15 minutes off the bench. Head coach Sydney Johnson says the challenge is keeping all frontcourt
The Washington Mystics didn’t just lose to the Dallas Wings on Monday night—they had to rethink how their frontcourt looks when the game gets physical.
In a 92-69 defeat, Lauren Betts adjusted into a new rhythm, recording 11 points and three rebounds in 15 minutes off the bench. Shakira Austin, the starting center, scored 12 points. For Washington, Betts and Austin were the only two players to finish with double-figure scoring.
After the game. Betts tied the lesson directly to what her first months in the WNBA feel like compared with college. “Every single game is just very, very competitive. I mean, I’m playing against the best every day,” she said. “So just showing up mentally ready to compete. Obviously, everyone’s a lot more physical and it’s a lot faster than college. So, I think just trying to adjust to the style of play and trusting myself. Still playing my game while also just trying to learn my teammates and gain chemistry with them. But I think just staying present and trying to get better every single day and learning. that’s the biggest thing for me.”.
That push to find footing is especially prominent in her role behind Austin. Betts entered the season after being selected as the fourth overall pick. following her run with UCLA that ended with an NCAA title in April. At the collegiate level. she averaged 21 points and 9.3 rebounds per game. and the transition has brought a noticeable shift in how she contributes.
Head coach Sydney Johnson currently uses Betts in a secondary role behind Austin. who ranks seventh in the WNBA with 8.5 rebounds per game. The spacing and responsibilities around that production matter because Austin’s spot came with real offseason pressure: Washington matched a restricted free agency offer sheet from the Toronto Tempo to keep her.
Even with those pieces in place. Johnson says the bigger tactical problem is workload—getting the minutes right without shutting anyone down. The Mystics are balancing frontcourt distribution between Betts. Austin. Kiki Iriafen. and Angela Dugalic. and the coaching staff is dealing with that challenge just four games into the season.
“I think our frontcourt is a strength. and it’s a challenge to get everybody out there because they’re all good. ” Johnson said. “Kiki and Kira are really, really good; they’re gonna play. Lauren Betts and Angela Dugalic are really, really good; they’re gonna play. As we work through the season, we’re gonna get them the minutes. I want to see growth and development from all of them. We’re not gonna get too high or low in terms of our minutes, we’re four games in. There’s opportunity for all of them, and I’m fully committed to that.”.
For Washington, those adjustments land inside a larger rebuild. The Mystics finished the 2025 season near the bottom of the league standings with a 16-28 record, and this early rotation work is part of how that recovery is being shaped.
Next, Washington will travel for its regular season game against the Seattle Storm on Sunday at 6:00 p.m. ET—another chance to see whether the rotation shift after Dallas turns into something steadier, or just another early-season lesson.
Washington Mystics Dallas Wings Lauren Betts Shakira Austin Sydney Johnson Kiki Iriafen Angela Dugalic WNBA frontcourt rotation Seattle Storm