Shakira Austin just dropped a superstar showing in Washington's recent win over our Seattle Storm, and it honestly just stings to think about what could have been for another team in the league. Seriously, if you're a Toronto Tempo fan, you gotta be watching this Mystics-Tempo rivalry unfold on Tuesday evening and just shaking your head at some past decisions, because Austin's impact is undeniable.
The Mystics-Tempo Rivalry Is WILD for a New Team
This Mystics-Tempo matchup on Tuesday, the third of four this season, is shaping up to be another hard-fought battle, and it's kinda crazy how intertwined these two squads are, considering this is Toronto's first season! The Tempo's very first game was against the Mystics, and Washington snagged a three-point opening night win in Toronto thanks to four clutch free throws from Austin. Then, in DC, we got an even more dramatic finish, with Lauren Betts tipping a jump ball to Sonia Citron for a game-winning jumper as the buzzer sounded. Talk about competitive. These aren't just random games; the teams are connected by some serious transactional drama too.
Shakira Austin's Career Year, What It Means For The League
So, what's really cooking here? It all goes back to the offseason. The Tempo made a move and tendered a restricted free agent qualifying offer to Austin for $3.57 million over three years. The Mystics matched it, keeping Austin in DC, and man, are they ever glad they did. Austin, who's had nagging injuries in her career, is absolutely crushing it this season. She's averaging 14 points per game in almost 29 minutes, partly by getting to the line for 5.3 free throws per game, though her sub-70 percent free throw percentage means she's leaving some points out there. But check this: she's experimenting with over a three-point attempt per game, drilling them at an impressive 42.3 percent. On top of that, she's pulling down a career-high 9.1 rebounds per game and swatting away a career-high 1.4 shots per game! Zack Ward even wrote about her superstar showing in Washington's recent win over our Storm. That's the kind of player who can transform a team, and it's exactly what the Tempo is missing.
What "What If" Means For Everyone Else
Think about it: none of Toronto's bigs give them the offensive production and defensive presence Austin brings. The Tempo offense leans heavily on isolation scoring from Marina Mabrey and Brittney Sykes (when healthy), plus three-point shooting from their perimeter players. Isabelle Harrison and Nyara Sabally score efficiently, sure, but Austin is just more dynamic. On defense, Austin offers way more resistance than Harrison or Sabally. Even if she's not All-Defense level, she'd be a massive upgrade for Toronto's leaky defense. And on the flip side, Washington would obviously be worse without her. So, as our Storm battle it out in the league, knowing a player like Austin is playing at this level for Washington, it just highlights how much one player's contract decision can reshape the landscape. Tune in Tuesday evening to see if the Mystics can continue their winning ways against Toronto, and watch Austin do her thing. It's gonna be a good one, but man, you gotta wonder what other teams are thinking watching her shine.
This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.