2026 WNBA season review: Even after a record number of wins and playoff berth, the Washington Mystics’ bright future is not guaranteed

The 2026 Washington Mystics made the playoffs as the youngest team in WNBA history, in addition to setting a franchise record with 28 total wins. The overwhelming reaction to the Mystics is that they're here to stay, and will be somewhat of a perennial contender under the current core. And while I don't think that's a unreasonable claim, there's some context that has begun to be swept under the rug of Washington's wins. A name that has been quickly forsaken in the wake of Washington's success is Jamila Wideman.