The WNBA is reeling over the Seattle Storm forward’s Achilles injury. While the Mystics have a clearer path to a title, they also aren’t runaway favorites.

On Tuesday, it was confirmed that Seattle Storm Breanna Stewart tore her Achilles tendon in the EuroLeague Women Finals. There are many takes to write on the impact of Stewart’s injury specifically, whether it’s the WNBA pay disparity or the inflexibility of European vs. American calendars. But the injury has a big impact on the Mystics specifically.

Last year, the Storm swept the Mystics in the 2018 WNBA Finals with Stewart winning the FInals MVP award. I thought the Storm were the next dynasty in the making and that they arrived a year ahead of schedule.