What Lauren Betts is learning hard way after Mystics’ 23-point loss to Wings

It’s hard to find silver linings in blowout defeats, but Washington Mystics rookie center Lauren Betts had the best statistical game of her young WNBA career in Monday’s 92-69 loss to the Dallas Wings, totaling 11 points (5-7 FG) with three rebounds over 15 minutes off the bench. The 22-year-old was the only Mystic to score in double figures besides fellow center Shakira Austin, who tallied 12 points (5-10 FG) across 26 minutes.

Betts told ClutchPoints what she’s learned about being a professional player thus far after the game.

“Every single game is just very, very competitive. I mean, I’m playing against the best every day,” the UCLA alum admitted. “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.”

Mystics’ frontcourt depth provides good problem

Betts is experiencing the rude awakening of the NCAA-to-WNBA transition. The Colorado native led UCLA to an NCAA title in April and was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player after averaging 21 points on 68.8% shooting with 9.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.8 blocks over 31.8 minutes in the postseason. Washington then drafted the two-time first-team AP All-American No. 4 overall days later, and head coach Sydney Johnson revealed that she’d start the season backing up Austin.

The Mystics matched the Toronto Tempo’s offer sheet for the latter player in restricted free agency hours earlier, and she’s made them look smart for doing so since then. The 25-year-old is tied for 20th in the WNBA with 16.3 points per game on 51.1% shooting and is seventh with 8.5 rebounds in addition to three assists and 1.3 blocks over 30.3 minutes. She’s one of only two players on Washington with multiple WNBA seasons under her belt.

It would be jarring for anyone to go from being a star to a backup in a matter of weeks, but that’s standard procedure for women’s basketball. Unlike the NBA, the NCAA season ends shortly before WNBA training camp starts, and most draftees don’t immediately get the same amount of minutes as they did in college. For example, 2026 No. 1 overall pick Azzi Fudd is averaging 20.7 minutes off the bench for the Wings after averaging 28.7 minutes as a starter for UConn last season.

Playing behind Austin allows Betts to gradually adjust to the professional game after starting 37 games for the Bruins in the 2025-26 campaign. Mystics head coach Sydney Johnson admitted after Monday’s loss that it’s not easy to manage the frontcourt minutes between Betts, Austin, starting power forward Kiki Iriafen and backup power forward Angela Dugalic.

“I think our frontcourt is a strength, and it’s a challenge to get everybody out there because they’re all good,” he 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.”

Dugalic, who was Betts’ teammate at UCLA and drafted No. 9 overall by Washington in April, finds herself in a similar position. The 2026 Big Ten Sixth Player of the Year is now backing up Iriafen, who’s more proven in the WNBA. So far, she’s averaging just 10.5 minutes after averaging 23.8 with the Bruins last season.

Although Dugalic could benefit from more reps, Iriafen has earned her role. The 2025 All-Star and All-Rookie honoree is tied for 17th in the WNBA with 16.5 points per game on 55.6% shooting (40% 3-point) and is first with 12.8 rebounds over 29.5 minutes.

Both Dugalic and Betts could establish themselves as cornerstone pieces for the Mystics this year, similar to Iriafen and guard/forward Sonia Citron last season. But unlike the latter two players in 2025, the UCLA duo was drafted onto a roster with upper-echelon players in front of it on the depth chart. That’s why Citron and Iriafen each started all 44 games as rookies, while Dugalic and Betts are coming off the bench for now.

However, this is a sign of progression in the Mystics’ rebuild. Contending teams don’t usually have rookies dominating the rotation, which is partially why the team finishing fourth-worst in the WNBA standings at 16-28 in 2025. Finishing 2026 around .500 or better despite being the league’s youngest team would show that the organization is moving in the right direction.

Up next is a road matchup with the Seattle Storm on Sunday at 6:00 p.m. ET.

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