WNBA analyst Rachel DeMita ranked Washington Mystics coach Sydney Johnson first in her Coach of the Year picks, followed by Natalie Nakase and Cheryl Reeve. She cited Washington’s jump from 16-28 last season to 28-16; the Mystics enter the playoffs as the No. 5 seed.
DeMita said Johnson’s case was about building culture and an identity, not only improving the record. The Mystics’ roster averaged about 24 years old; they led the league in rebounding and ranked second in scoring defense. Washington’s first-round opponent is the No. 4 seed Atlanta Dream.
Minnesota opened 10-2 and had the season’s longest winning streak, 10 games from July 8 to Aug. 2. The Lynx ranked second in net and offensive rating and fourth in defensive rating, while Napheesa Collier missed part of the season due to ankle surgeries. Minnesota is set to face the New York Liberty in the opening round.
