Shakira Austin Leads Mystics Past Storm as Magbegor Faces Extended Recovery from Facial Fracture

Shakira Austin delivered a decisive fourth-quarter performance with 27 points to lead the Washington Mystics over the Seattle Storm, but the victory was marked by a significant injury to Seattle forward Ezi Magbegor, who suffered a broken facial bone and faces weeks away from competition.

The Mystics' Fourth-Quarter Surge

Austin was instrumental in the Mystics' victory, tallying 10 of her team's points during a crucial fourth-quarter run that sealed the win. Her scoring display demonstrated the offensive firepower that has become central to Washington's lineup. The win highlighted the Mystics' ability to execute in close contests and maintain momentum through pivotal stretches of play.

Magbegor's Injury Compounds Seattle's Challenges

The Storm's day was dampened by Magbegor's injury sustained during competition against the Mystics. Head coach Sonia Raman confirmed the forward had fractured a bone in her face and will undergo re-evaluation within the next two weeks. This injury came during what appeared to be a routine rebound attempt, further testing Seattle's depth at the forward position.

Magbegor's setback is particularly frustrating given her recent return to action. The Australian international had been sidelined for the first 20 games of the season following a right foot injury suffered during international competition in April. She debuted on July 2 against Phoenix and played in four contests, averaging 3.5 points and four rebounds across those games before the facial injury.

A similar incident on July 9 against the Atlanta Dream also resulted in a facial injury to Magbegor, when she received an unintended elbow while competing for a rebound. That encounter left her initially out but had not previously required extended absence. The recurring nature of these injuries underscores the physical demands of the league and the challenges facing the Storm's frontcourt.