Storm eliminated from playoff contention after 74-79 Dream loss to Mystics

The Seattle Storm’s season is officially over before it even reaches the finish line. The Washington Mystics’ 79-74 win over the Atlanta Dream on Friday at CareFirst Arena mathematically eliminated Seattle from playoff contention, closing the book on a difficult year for the Storm well before the regular season wraps up.

The result had nothing to do with Seattle directly, but the standings math left no path forward once Washington picked up the win over a Dream team that entered the night at 19-11.

Washington’s rebuild continues to show real signs of life. Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen, both All-Star selections in each of their first two professional seasons, have anchored the Mystics’ turnaround, with Citron averaging 17.1 points and Iriafen adding 15.1 points and 9.2 rebounds on the season.

Center Shakira Austin has provided steady production of her own, chipping in 15.9 points and a team-high 9.5 rebounds a night. The win extended Washington’s climb up the standings, part of a stretch that included wins over the Golden State Valkyries and Las Vegas Aces since the All-Star break.

The Storm have struggled throughout the season, sitting at the bottom of the WNBA standings for much of the year and enduring a lengthy losing streak that stretched into double digits at multiple points.

Despite the disappointing record, Seattle has shown flashes of a promising young core, led by second-year center Dominique Malonga, who earned her first career All-Star selection this season and has continued building on a breakout sophomore campaign. Guard Awa Fam and veteran Natisha Hiedeman have also provided steady contributions during an otherwise rough year.

For Seattle, elimination shifts the focus entirely toward the offseason. With no postseason to play for, the Storm can turn their attention to player development, evaluating their young roster, and building toward next season with an eye on the draft and free agency.

Malonga’s continued growth, along with the direction new additions provide, will be the primary storylines to watch as Seattle plays out the remainder of a season that ended in disappointment but offered real glimpses of a foundation to build on.

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