Mystics Tie Franchise Mark With 7 Straight Wins, Climbing to No. 5 in WNBA

Q: Could Phoenix's desperate trade deadline moves and mounting injuries completely derail their championship hopes this season?

Yes. Phoenix’s title hopes are in real danger of unraveling if Kelsey Plum’s calf issue lingers and the team cannot quickly stabilize its rotation. The warning signs are clear. The Mercury are 12-22, have lost three straight and four of five, and have slid in the playoff race even after the trade for Plum. Since the deadline, both their offense and defense have dipped, and they still have not built consistent chemistry with Plum, Alyssa Thomas and Kahleah Copper sharing the floor. That matters because Phoenix made the move to raise its ceiling immediately, not to spend weeks searching for workable lineups. Plum’s health is the biggest swing factor. Sunday was only her fourth game back after missing more than a month with a lower left leg injury, and she exited early with left calf tightness after playing just 14 minutes. Coach Nate Tibbetts said the team was being cautious, but any setback is serious given the compressed schedule, limited practice time and the approaching FIBA World Cup break. If Plum is unavailable or limited, Phoenix loses the elite shot creation and spacing it traded for. There is still a narrow path if Plum returns quickly and the Mercury can lean on Copper and Thomas, who have shown they can carry games. But right now Phoenix looks more like a team fighting to stay alive than a true contender. The trade itself did not kill their chances; the combination of poor continuity, mounting injuries and a shrinking runway could.

3 articles · Updated · CBS Sports · Aug 10

Washington has surged from 8-9 and ninth place six weeks ago to fifth after winning 11 of its last 14 games, putting a playoff return since 2023 within reach.
A 113.6 offensive rating during the seven-game streak has transformed a team that spent much of the season as the WNBA's worst offense, while its defense still leads the league over that span at 104.7.
Shakira Austin has driven the turnaround, averaging 21.7 points and 10.3 rebounds over the streak; the Mystics have posted a 111.6 offensive rating with her on the floor versus 88.6 when she sits.
Washington now sits a half-game behind Indiana for fourth and two behind Las Vegas for third, with the league's third-easiest remaining schedule and newly added wing Betnijah Laney-Hamilton boosting its home-court hopes.
The run has recast a rebuilding season into a broader upswing, with the Mystics also holding a 2027 lottery pick swap from Chicago.