Checking in after the opening weekend
In case you missed it, the 2025 WNBA season started over the weekend and three former Syracuse Orange players opened the season on rosters. None of them got into a fight with Caitlin Clark or Angel Reece, but we still have updates so let’s get to it.
Britney Sykes- Washington Mystics
Sykes is coming off her championship in the Undefeated league and is one of the veteran leaders on a Mystics squad which was not expected to be a playoff contender. However, they started the season with wins over Atlanta and Connecticut.
In the opener, Sykes had 49 points and 12 assists in the two wins. Known primarily as a defender in her WNBA career, the roster turnover in Washington gives Brittney a bigger opportunity on offense and so far it’s paying off.
Brittney Sykes is on an absolute tear for the Washington Mystics
She’s officially notched 20+ PTS in back-to-back games to open the season
Free on the WNBA App, courtesy of @CarMax pic.twitter.com/ZLW0qLCryx
— WNBA (@WNBA) May 18, 2025
Emily Engstler- Washington Mystics
Engstler joins Sykes again in Washington. In a reserve role, Engstler has grabbed 5 rebounds in both of the Mystics’ games this season. Emily is also 2-2 on 3-pt attempts in the Mystics’ first two games
Kamilla Cardoso- Chicago Sky
Cardoso enters year two in Chicago with higher expectations. Three of five writers on ESPN picked Cardoso to be the Most Improved Player this season (Engstler got one of the other votes). It was a tough opener for Cardoso and Chicago against Indiana, but Kamilla had 7 points and 7 rebounds in the loss.
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We’ll do our best to keep Orange fans updated on the WNBA season throughout the summer.