With the summer season in full effect, D.C. sports are heating up.
From the Mystics toppling the Sky to the Nationals coaching staff shakeup, there’s no shortage of action in the nation’s capital for local sports fans.
Mystics Top Sky, Angel Reese Makes a DMV Return, and Rookie Pair Headed to Indy All-Star Game
The Washington Mystics pulled off a gritty 81-79 win against the Chicago Sky at George Mason’s EagleBank Arena, with standout performances from center Shakira Austin and forward Aaliyah Edwards powering the victory.
In a game filled with emotion, swings of momentum, and late-game challenges, the Mystics extended their win streak over the Sky by five, and with this game, Washington has improved their team dominance over Chicago, now having won nine of their last 10 meetings.
Austin delivered another all-around performance, finishing with 15 points, eight rebounds, four assists, two steals, and two blocks. She tied her career high assists and continued her dominance with a seventh straight game scoring in double figures.
The center’s impact was felt most in the final seconds. After missing two foul shots in a tie game at just 2.1 seconds left, the Mystics grabbed the offensive rebound, allowing Austin to redeem herself by hitting the game-winning free throws.
“[I] definitely couldn’t get my free throws today. I don’t know what’s going on but I’m just glad I was able to finish it,” said Austin. “Shout out to Lucy [Olsen]. In the beginning of the game, I was missing a couple. She was just like ‘You’re gonna keep making them, keep shooting them, keep having confidence. Don’t let your head drop,’ and I think that’s maybe why I finished the game.”
Edwards made her presence known, helping the Mystics outscore the Sky 46-30 down low. She led them into halftime with eight points remaining 4-of-7 from the field. Further, the forward not only dominated but challenged her opponents, showing her growth in the franchise.
“I just came in with that competitive spirit like I always do, and just had to do it on both ends of the court,” said Edwards. “I think that I just take pride in that. I got a lot of deflections and second-chance opportunities for the team. Just anything I can to help us get the win.”
Kiki Iriafen added her sixth double-double of the season with 11 points and 10 rebounds, tying Chamique Holdsclaw’s franchise record for most double-doubles by a rookie.
Meanwhile, the Sky’s Angel Reese delivered a strong individual performance adding another double-double to her stat arsenal. With her return to the DMV, Reese notched 22 points, 15 rebounds, and four assists.
Her record-breaking sixth straight game with 15-plus rebounds was overshadowed by a key missed box-out late in the game, which visibly frustrated Reese in the midst of the Sky’s defeat.
“We both like to talk a lot,” said Austin. “We’re both from the DMV and that’s just something we do. We compete, we like to show how passionate we are. You know every time we go, it’s gonna be a good show.”
In light of their victorious efforts, The Mystics will be sending their infamous rookie pair– Iriafen and Sonia Citron— to Indiana for the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game.
The two will be the first rookie duo to earn the All-Star honor since 1999, and the youngest stars in the Mystics franchise history.
Iriafen has led all league rookies in rebounding, while Citron ranks second in rookie scoring. The rising stars have started all 18 games this season and are fueling the fire for a Washington playoff push.
With the momentum continuing to soar, the Mystics (now 7-11) take a step forward toward another big matchup hosting the defending champions, Las Vegas Aces back at EagleBank Arena on Thursday July 10.
Head Coach Sydney Johnson shared the team’s success has been stimulated through their hard work and dedication to grow as a team.
“We are trying not to rest on what we’ve done, the day prior,” said Johnson. “And so you know, just trying to build on like an effort of constantly improving on our defensive rebounds, or our scout, or our sisterhood, or our joy. Those are like real values to us, in terms of improving, and they’ve taken to it. I just feel so good to coach them,” said Johnson.
Nationals Hit Reset Button With New Approach, MacKenzie Gore and James Wood Named All-Stars
The Washington Nationals made major organizational waves on July 6, firing Mike Rizzo, longtime president of baseball operations and general manager along with manager Dave Martinez.
The move in the Nationals franchise marks the end of an era that included a 2019 World Series title followed by several seasons of underperformance. Team owner Mark D. Lerner cited the need for “a fresh approach and new energy,” signaling a major turning point in the franchise’s attempt to rebuild.
“On behalf of our family and the Washington Nationals organization, I first and foremost want to thank Mike and Davey for their contributions to our franchise.
“Our family is eternally grateful for their years of dedication to the organization, including their roles in bringing a World Series trophy to Washington, D.C. While we are appreciative of their past successes, the on-field performance has not been where we or our fans expect it to be,” Lerner said. “This is a pivotal time for our Club, and we believe a fresh approach and new energy is the best course of action for our team moving forward.”
Rizzo was considered a pivotal architect of the Nationals’ success, helping transform the team into champions of the District at one time.
Martinez, known for his connection to players and fans, led Washington for nearly eight seasons leaving behind a legacy of unity and resilience.
Taking the reins and filling the leadership gap in the franchise will be General Manager Mike DeBartolo, with Miguel Cairo serving as interim manager.
Cairo brings his leadership from previous stints with the White Sox and New York Yankees. He is set to now guide a young roster into the second half of the season.
Amid the changes in Nationals’ leadership, two bright spots emerged on the MLB All-Star team.
Left-hander MacKenzie Gore and outfielder James Wood’s selections in the 2025 MLB All-Star Game mark both players’ first career appearances.
Gore has emerged as one of the National League’s most dominant strikeout artists, while Wood has become one of MLB’s most valuable hitters.
“I’ve never been more excited to watch a Nationals game in years,” one social media user wrote on X, referencing the All-Star and management announcements. “The dawn of the new age. Cannot wait.”
Their All-Star recognition reflects on the big leap forward in the Nationals franchise, paving the way for a bright future that could one day overlook another World Series title.
“Nationals fans have a lot to be optimistic about, and we see these changes as a difficult, but necessary move in a positive direction,” Lerner said.