Washington Mystics Franchise History

From Hoopedia

The Washington Mystics were one of the first WNBA expansion franchises to be established. In 1998, their first season, they were led by Olympian Nikki McCray. Although they did not make the playoffs that year, the team had high expectations after drafting University of Tennessee star Chamique Holdsclaw in 1999. Holdsclaw would lead the team to the playoffs in 2000.

After being tied for the worst record in the WNBA in 2001, coach Tom Maher and General Manager Melissa McFerrin both resigned. With the future of the franchise up in the air, Mystics assistant coach Marianne Stanley took over as head coach and with the duo of Holdsclaw and rookie guard Stacey Dales-Schuman, the Mystics made the playoffs in 2002. They advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals, where they lost 2 games to 1 to the New York Liberty.

Rumors of Holdsclaw being unhappy playing in Washington came to a head in 2004 when the Mystics star was sidelined with an unspecified ailment, later revealed to be a bout with depression. With their all-star out, rookie and Duke University standout Alana Beard led a depleted Mystics team to a surprising playoff appearance, the second playoff appearance in Mystics history.

2005 saw deep changes in the Mystics organization. The Mystics traded star Chamique Holdsclaw to the Los Angeles Sparks for DeLisha Milton-Jones and the team was sold by Washington Sports and Entertainment to Lincoln Holdings LLC, led by Ted Leonsis. In 2005, the team finished the regular season with a win/loss record of 16-18 and failed to make the playoffs.

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