The stage is set for a Sunday afternoon showdown as the Dallas Wings host the Washington Mystics at College Park Center, with tipoff scheduled for 4 p.m. ET and coverage on CBS. Both squads are desperate to halt their respective four-game losing streaks, making this matchup a pivotal moment in their seasons—even as both find themselves outside the current WNBA playoff picture. For fans and bettors alike, all eyes are on key players like Emily Engstler and rookie sensation Paige Bueckers, whose performances could tip the scales in this tightly contested affair.
Let’s start with the Mystics. Entering the game with a 13-17 record, Washington has been reeling since trading away their top scorer, Brittney Sykes, to the Seattle Storm. Sykes, who averaged 15.4 points per game, was a driving force for the team, and since her departure, the Mystics' offensive production has taken a noticeable dip. Over their last two outings, Washington has managed just 70 points per game—a significant drop-off that has left them searching for answers on the offensive end.
Emily Engstler, a versatile contributor for the Mystics, is one player who could help fill the void. Engstler’s prop bets for Sunday’s contest are set at 4 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 assist, reflecting her steady—if unspectacular—season averages. Through 25 games, she’s posting 2.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per contest. While those numbers might not jump off the page, her impact can be felt in other ways. Engstler has tallied 72 points, 78 rebounds (including 27 on the offensive glass), and 30 assists in 276 minutes this season. Her shooting splits include a 38.2% field goal percentage and a 66.7% mark from the free-throw line, though her three-point shooting sits at 22.2%.
Looking at her career numbers, Engstler has logged 1,471 minutes in the WNBA, notching 471 points, 416 rebounds, 135 assists, 62 steals, and 80 blocks. Her career field goal percentage stands at 42.8%, and she’s been a respectable 36.6% shooter from deep. On defense, she averages 0.6 steals and 0.8 blocks per game across her professional tenure. For the Mystics to find success on Sunday, Engstler’s ability to contribute across multiple statistical categories will be crucial—especially given the team’s recent struggles on offense.
Recent form paints a challenging picture for Washington. Over their last five games, the Mystics have averaged just 53.3 points and 20.8 rebounds per contest, shooting a paltry 11.1% from three-point range and 41.7% on two-point shots. Engstler has accounted for 10% of the team’s assists, 8.4% of their points, and 13.6% of their rebounds during this stretch, underscoring her role as a key cog in the Mystics’ rotation. In her last ten outings, she’s averaged 2.2 rebounds, 1.0 assist, and 2.9 points in just over 10 minutes per game, with a true shooting percentage of 29.5%—numbers that suggest there’s room for improvement but also highlight her willingness to do the dirty work.
On the other side of the court, the Dallas Wings are looking to capitalize on home-court advantage and the return of their rookie star, Paige Bueckers. Dallas enters the matchup with an 8-23 record, but oddsmakers have pegged them as 2-point favorites—a nod to their recent form and potential upside. The Wings previously bested the Mystics 79-71 at home in late June, and a repeat performance isn’t out of the question, especially with Bueckers expected back in the lineup after missing Friday’s loss to the New York Liberty due to a back injury.
Bueckers, the leading Rookie of the Year candidate, has been nothing short of electric in her debut season, averaging 18.6 points per game. She’s cleared the 16.5-point mark in five straight contests, including four consecutive games with 20-plus points. Her return injects much-needed scoring and playmaking into the Dallas attack, and her ability to create her own shot could pose significant problems for a Mystics defense that’s still adjusting to life without Sykes.
Dallas has also benefited from the emergence of Haley Jones in the starting lineup. Since Jones took on a larger role on July 28, the Wings have posted a 4-1 record against the spread over their last five games, signaling a newfound competitiveness even as wins have been hard to come by. The Wings’ defense, meanwhile, is a study in contrasts. They allow opponents to shoot 37.1% from three-point range and 45.0% overall from the field, but they lead the league in opponent points per game at 86.5 and rank first in giving up assists, having conceded just 681 so far this season. Dallas also forces 12.8 turnovers and draws 18.2 fouls per contest, making them a pesky opponent even for teams with more firepower.
The Mystics’ offensive woes could be further compounded by the Wings’ aggressive defensive schemes. Washington’s lack of three-point shooting—just 11.1% over the last five games—could play right into Dallas’ hands, especially if Bueckers and Jones are able to push the pace and generate easy transition opportunities. For bettors, the consensus is leaning toward Dallas, with expert picks favoring the Wings on the moneyline and against the spread.
Prop bettors will also be keeping a close eye on Engstler’s stat lines. While her recent averages suggest she may struggle to eclipse her prop totals, her all-around game means she’s always a threat to contribute in unexpected ways. One expert pick recommends taking the under on Engstler’s assists at +105 odds, a reflection of both her recent form and the Mystics’ offensive struggles. Still, in a game where both teams are searching for answers, a breakout performance from an unsung hero can’t be ruled out.
With both teams eager to snap their losing streaks and inject some life into their seasons, Sunday’s clash promises to be a gritty, hard-fought affair. The Mystics will need to find creative ways to generate offense without Sykes, while the Wings look to build on the energy provided by Bueckers and Jones. The outcome remains very much up in the air, but one thing’s for sure—fans can expect intensity, urgency, and perhaps a few surprises when the ball tips at College Park Center.
As the action unfolds, all eyes will be on whether the Mystics can rediscover their scoring touch or if the Wings, buoyed by their rookie star’s return, will finally put an end to their own losing skid. The stakes may not include a playoff berth, but pride and momentum are very much on the line in Arlington this Sunday.
