History of Washington Mystics in Timeline

The Washington Mystics are a professional women's basketball team based in Washington, D.C., competing in the WNBA's Eastern Conference. Founded in 1998, the team is owned by Ted Leonsis through Monumental Sports & Entertainment, which also owns the Washington Wizards. They play at the CareFirst Arena in Congress Heights. Sheila C. Johnson, also a co-founder of BET, serves as the managing partner.

October 1, 1997: Washington, D.C. Selected as Potential City

On October 1, 1997, Washington, D.C. was selected as a potential city for a WNBA expansion team.

December 16, 1997: Team Name Announced

On December 16, 1997, Abe Pollin announced that the team would be known as the Washington Mystics.

1998: Worst Record in WNBA

In 1998, the Washington Mystics finished the season with a WNBA worst record of 3–27.

1998: WNBA Home Attendance Leader

In 1998, the Washington Mystics led the WNBA in home attendance.

1998: Team Founded

In 1998, the Washington Mystics team was founded before the season started. The team competes in the WNBA.

1999: Drafted Chamique Holdsclaw

In 1999, the Washington Mystics drafted Chamique Holdsclaw. The team improved, but did not make the playoffs.

1999: WNBA Home Attendance Leader

In 1999, the Washington Mystics led the WNBA in home attendance.

2000: WNBA Home Attendance Leader

In 2000, the Washington Mystics led the WNBA in home attendance.

2000: Made the Playoffs

In 2000, the Washington Mystics made the playoffs with a record of 14–18, losing to the New York Liberty in a first-round sweep.

2001: Coach and General Manager Resigned

In 2001, after being tied for the worst record in the WNBA, the Washington Mystics' coach Tom Maher and General Manager Melissa McFerrin resigned.

2002: WNBA Home Attendance Leader

In 2002, the Washington Mystics led the WNBA in home attendance.

2002: Lost in Semifinals to New York

In 2002, the Washington Mystics lost in the WNBA semifinals to the New York Liberty.

2002: Made the Playoffs

In 2002, the Washington Mystics made the playoffs with a 17–15 record, sweeping the Charlotte Sting in the first round, but losing to New York in the Eastern Conference Finals.

2003: Second-Worst Record

In 2003, the Washington Mystics had the second-worst record in franchise history, finishing last in the Eastern Conference with a 9–25 record.

2004: Playoff Appearance

In 2004, despite Chamique Holdsclaw's absence due to depression, the Washington Mystics, led by Alana Beard, made a surprising playoff appearance, finishing the season at 17–17 but losing in the first round to the Connecticut Sun.

2004: WNBA Home Attendance Leader

In 2004, the Washington Mystics led the WNBA in home attendance.

2004: Drafted Alana Beard

The Washington Mystics drafted Alana Beard in 2004, who played a vital role in the 2006 season where the team entered the playoffs.

2005: Holdsclaw Joined Sparks, Team Sold to Leonsis

In 2005, Chamique Holdsclaw joined the Los Angeles Sparks, and the Washington Mystics were sold by Washington Sports and Entertainment to Ted Leonsis. The team failed to make the playoffs.

2006: Playoff Appearance, First Round Loss

In 2006, the Washington Mystics posted an 18–16 record and entered the playoffs as the 4th seed but were swept by the Connecticut Sun in the first round.

2007: Missed Playoffs due to Tiebreaker

In 2007, the Washington Mystics finished with a 16–18 record and missed the playoffs due to losing the tiebreaker to the New York Liberty.

2008: Released General Manager and Interim Coach

During the 2008/2009 WNBA off-season, the Washington Mystics released general manager Linda Hargrove and interim coach Jessie Kenlaw.

2008: Drafted Crystal Langhorne

In 2008, the Washington Mystics drafted Crystal Langhorne. Plagued by coaching problems, they fell to the bottom of the East.

2009: WNBA Home Attendance Leader

In 2009, the Washington Mystics led the WNBA in home attendance.

2009: Reached the Playoffs, Lost in the First Round

In 2009, the Washington Mystics reached the playoffs but were swept in the first round by the Indiana Fever.

2009: Selected Matee Ajavon and Marissa Coleman

In 2009, the Washington Mystics selected Matee Ajavon and Marissa Coleman in the Houston dispersal draft and the WNBA draft, respectively.

2010: Attendance Banners Removed

In 2010, Ted Leonsis, CEO of Monumental Sports & Entertainment, announced the removal of the 'Attendance Champions' banners from the Verizon Center, stating that only banners for division, conference, or league championships should be displayed.

2010: Best Season Ever

In 2010, the Washington Mystics had their best season ever, finishing first in the East with a 22–12 record, but were swept in the first round by the Atlanta Dream.

2010: Injuries for Alana Beard

In the 2009 and 2010 offseasons, Alana Beard suffered two season-ending injuries.

2011: Controversial Changes and Team Turmoil

In 2011, the Washington Mystics made controversial changes, including Angela Taylor's departure, Julie Plank's refusal to handle both coach and GM duties, Trudi Lacey's appointment to both positions, and trades of Harding and Smith, resulting in a significant drop in the team's record.

September 26, 2012: Draft Lottery

On September 26, 2012, despite having the best odds, the Washington Mystics ended up with the 4th pick in the 2013 WNBA draft.

2012: WNBA Draft Lottery

In 2012 at the WNBA draft lottery, Mystics owner Sheila Johnson declined to comment on the departure of Plank and Taylor, citing ongoing "human resource issues".

2013: Drafted Tayler Hill and Emma Meesseman

In 2013, the Washington Mystics drafted Tayler Hill and Emma Meesseman. Mike Thibault was hired as their new head coach and GM.

2013: Missed out on Top Players

In 2013, the Washington Mystics missed out on drafting Brittney Griner, Elena Delle Donne and Skylar Diggins, after ending up with the 4th pick in the draft.

2013: Made the Playoffs, Lost in the First Round

In the 2013 WNBA season, the Washington Mystics had a 17-17 record and made the playoffs but lost in the first round.

2014: Drafted Hartley and Dolson

In 2014, the Washington Mystics drafted Bria Hartley and Stefanie Dolson. Meesseman became the starting center. They made the playoffs but lost in the first round.

2015: Dolson and Meesseman All-Stars

In 2015, the Washington Mystics changed their starting line-up. Both Stefanie Dolson and Emma Meesseman were selected into the 2015 WNBA All-Star Game. They made the playoffs, but were a first-round exit.

2015: Delle Donne MVP Season

In 2017, the Washington Mystics traded for Elena Delle Donne, who won the league MVP in 2015.

September 7, 2016: Franchise Record of 118 Points

On September 7, 2016, the Washington Mystics scored a franchise record of 118 points and 16 three-pointers in a 118–81 victory over the Chicago Sky.

September 28, 2016: Won the Second Overall Pick

On September 28, 2016, the Washington Mystics won the second overall pick in the 2017 WNBA draft.

2016: Busy in the Trade Market

During the 2016-17 off-season, the Mystics were busy in the trade market to acquire a superstar player. They freed up cap space to land a superstar on their team.

2017: Traded for Elena Delle Donne

During the 2016–17 off-season, the Mystics traded for Elena Delle Donne and signed Kristi Toliver. The Mystics defeated the Dallas Wings and the New York Liberty in the playoffs, advancing past the second round for the first time in franchise history. In the semi-finals, the Mystics were defeated by the Minnesota Lynx.

2017: Playoff Series Win

In 2017 the mystics won their first playoff series since 2002.

2017: Lost in Semifinals to Minnesota Lynx

In 2017, the Washington Mystics lost in the WNBA semifinals to the Minnesota Lynx.

2017: Second Overall Pick

The Washington Mystics won the second overall pick in the 2017 WNBA draft.

2018: Stanley Cup Finals Comparison

In 2018, Washington Capitals and Vegas Golden Knights competed in the Stanley Cup Finals with the Capitals emerging victorious. More than a year later, the Mystics played against the Las Vegas Aces in the semi-finals.

2018: Mystics Season Performance

In 2018, the Mystics played without Emma Meesseman but finished as the #3 seed with a 22–12 record. They defeated the Los Angeles Sparks in the second round and the Atlanta Dream in the semifinals to advance to the WNBA Finals, where they were swept by the Seattle Storm.

2018: First WNBA Finals Appearance

In 2018, the Washington Mystics reached the WNBA Finals for the first time in the franchise's history.

2019: First Championship

In 2019, the Washington Mystics won their first WNBA championship.

2019: Mystics Win First WNBA Championship

In 2019, with Meesseman's return, the Mystics achieved a 26–8 regular season record and secured the top playoff spot. They defeated the Las Vegas Aces in the semifinals and the Connecticut Sun in the Finals to win their first WNBA championship. Meesseman was named Finals MVP in 2019.