Shakira Austin comes out firing for Mystics in early tilt with Dream

Austin's hot start sparks Washington early.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated Jul 21 min read

WAS

Washington MysticsWNBA

Kira goin' crazy 🔥 Shakira Austin starts off the game HOT for the @WashMystics! ATL-WAS | League Pass Tap to watch: ht

What happened: Shakira Austin opened aggressively for the Washington Mystics in the early minutes against the Atlanta Dream. The two Eastern Conference sides are underway on League Pass, with Atlanta ahead 18-12 in the opening stretch. Austin's early scoring has kept Washington within reach as both teams settle in.

Why it matters: The result carries standings weight, with Washington sitting near .500 and Atlanta holding a stronger record in a tight Eastern race. Austin's assertive start is notable given that Washington had recently listed her as questionable with bilateral knee soreness, making her early burst a meaningful sign for the frontcourt.

By the numbers: Washington entered the night at 10-10 on the season, Atlanta at 13-8. The clubs split their earlier meetings: Atlanta rolled 109-77 on June 6, while Washington took an 83-72 decision on May 3.

What to watch: Watch whether Washington can erase the early deficit and how Austin's minutes hold up given the recent knee concern.

Sources

@WNBA Jul 2, 7:53 PM ET

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Shakira Austin comes out firing for Mystics in early tilt with Dream

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