Washington, D.C. — The Washington Mystics are catching heat after their postgame conduct following a stinging 79-74 overtime loss to the Indiana Fever on April 16. The game, a tight one that slipped through the Mystics’ fingers, ended with a move that’s got fans and reporters buzzing for all the wrong reasons.
With the clock winding down in regulation, the Mystics held a six-point lead, poised to seal their first victory of the 2025 WNBA season. But three sloppy fouls in the final minute handed Indiana six free throws, knotting the score and forcing overtime. The Mystics crumbled in the extra frame, managing just one basket while the Fever, led by Sophie Cunningham’s 21 points and eight rebounds, ran away with the win.
What happened next is where things got messy. As the final buzzer sounded, several Mystics players skipped the customary handshake line, heading straight for the locker room. Fever players, left hanging mid-court, waved awkwardly, expecting the usual postgame ritual. The snub didn’t go unnoticed. Reports from the scene confirm the Mystics’ abrupt exit, sparking a wave of criticism for what many see as a lapse in sportsmanship.
The Fever, meanwhile, celebrated their first win of the season, with Cunningham—a recent trade acquisition—stealing the spotlight. Her performance underscored Indiana’s grit, but it’s the Mystics’ postgame behavior that’s dominating the conversation. The WNBA has yet to comment officially, and no statements have come from the Mystics’ camp addressing the incident.
The game, played at Washington’s Entertainment and Sports Arena, drew a crowd of 4,200, per official attendance records. The Mystics’ next chance to reset comes April 19 against the Chicago Sky. For now, they’re stuck in the spotlight—not for their play, but for a postgame walk-off that’s left a sour taste.