Going into the 2026 WNBA season, both the Los Angeles Sparks and Washington Mystics were trendy picks as young teams who could take a big step. With 11 games remaining in the regular season, the Mystics are looking awfully secure as the eighth and final playoff seed, while the Sparks are seven games behind. Though it’s unlikely the Sparks can close the gap to make the postseason, they have a lot of pride to play for. Will that be enough to pull off the road upset?
The Mystics enter as 6.5-point road favorites with -270 moneyline odds on DraftKings Sportsbook. The Sparks are +220 underdogs, with the game total set at 172.5 points.
Let’s dive into a preview, prediction, and pick for this Sparks-Mystics matchup.
Sparks vs. Mystics Prediction, Preview
The first matchup between these teams was strikingly similar to what we’ll see on Saturday. Kelsey Plum, now a member of the Phoenix Mercury, was a DNP that day for the Sparks. Erica Wheeler, now the starting point guard for the Sparks, had to step into her shoes during that matchup back in May. And she sure stepped up, recording 21 points on 8-of-16 shooting along with eight assists. Her pairing with Nneka Ogwumike, who had a loud double-double, was enough for LA to get over the line.
Though the personnel on both sides are effectively the same, the Mystics’ spirit and confidence are very different from what the Sparks saw more than two months ago. They’ve surged from a .500 team to a near playoff lock and are playing elite defense while leading the league in rebounding. Behind their All-Star frontcourt, the youngest team in the WNBA will be heading to the postseason barring an epic collapse, and they’ve been able to do battle with some of the best teams in the league.
For the Sparks, it’s all about playing solid defense in the frontcourt. Shakira Austin gave them headaches in the first matchup and will keep doing so unless they sharpen up. The starters, Ogwumike and Dearica Hamby, will have to put in maximum effort to keep Austin and Kiki Iriafen from punishing them in the paint. They’ll also need a lot out of Cameron Brink off the bench, who is an elite rim protector when playing at her best. If they can keep a lid on Austin and Iriafen without letting Sonia Citron go crazy, they have to like their chances.
For the Mystics, it’s all about the glass. In the first matchup, the board battle was near 50/50; this time, they need to dominate to control the tempo. Washington’s inefficient offense has been papered over by their elite ability to control the possession game. Ogwumike and Hamby can do a lot of damage on the glass, and the Iriafen-Austin duo will have to be at their most physical to win that battle. If they can control possession while playing their usual defensive game, they have to like their chances.
Now that we know these teams a bit better, who will pull out the win, and how should we bet on this game?
Sparks vs. Mystics Pick, Best Bet
I have serious doubts that the Sparks can pull off two upsets in a row against this Mystics team. Washington has clicked on a different level over the second half of the season, developing a cohesive identity that keeps winning them games. Los Angeles has talent, but they have the vibe of a team that’s running out the clock on a lost season. This should be a comfortable enough home win for Washington to inch closer to a playoff spot.
