Now that the 2024 Summer Olympics are in the books, it is time to resume the second half of the season for the WNBA. For the Washington Mystics, it is a chance to build on the play of the team’s six winning games after opening the season winless at 0-12.
Early in the season, the Mystics (6-19) were able to compete through the first three quarters, but the fourth period became their Achilles heel as they either lost leads or allowed teams to pull away.
During the current turnaround, it has been in their ability to compete to the end despite playing with a less-than-full deck.
“That’s been the biggest thing,” noted Mystics head coach Eric Thibault. “You know we had a group of players that had been playing a lot and holding the fort down while we had other people injured. So they needed the break for probably a little mental and physical rest. And, we needed that time to get those other players back in who had been out. So, hopefully it’s going to pay off. For us, we have to go through the process of reintegrating everybody into the team again. Part of that is playing games and having to work it out in pressure situations so that’s the challenge for us now.”
The team has played without the services of two of their important players, guard Brittney Sykes (11.8 points per game, five rebounds per game), who has played in only three games this season and talented center Shakira Austin who has missed all of the season. They could return as early as the next game and that would be a big boost for the team.
During the absence of their Dynamic Duo, the Mystics can hang the hats on their ability to distribute the ball (23 assists per game) and proficiency in three-point shooting (39%), where they rank in the top three in the league.
From an individual standpoint, the Mystics have turned to Ariel Atkins. The sixth-year pro is averaging almost 16 points, four assists and 3.7 rebounds per game. She posted career highs in points in a game (36) and three-pointers made (six) in a game against the defending champion, Las Vegas Aces.
“I think obviously we’ve had some bodies in and out,” said the versatile Atkins, who ranks among the WNBA leaders in scoring and steals. “We figured out different ways to weather the storms. We do have six wins in there sprinkled in… so that does feel good. I just think taking the time to realize who we have playing and how do we play to each other’s strengths has been the big focus. And, I think going into this next half of this season, which is really only a month left, just making sure that we focus on each other’s strengths and try to get the best that we can out of this, and race to get in one of the eight spots.”
In the absence of Austin and Sykes, the Mystics have also been able to get production from Aaliyah Edwards, Stephanie Dolson, Karlie Samuelson, Jade Melbourne, Julie Vanloo, Myisha Hines-Allen and Shatoria Williams-Kimbrough.
A rookie, Edwards has come on strong and is averaging 8.7 points and almost six rebounds per game. Dolson, a 10-year pro out of the University of Connecticut, has filled in for Austin, contributing 10.5 points and five rebounds.
Samuelson, a fifth year guard, averages almost 10 points per game.
Vanloo, another rookie, has become adept at finding teammates by recording 5.1 assists while averaging 8.5 points.
Hines-Allen and Williams-Kimbrough have provided instant offense off the bench, averaging 17 points between them.
It is important to note Melbourne is a bronze medalist as her country, Australia finished third in the Olympics.
The team has 15 games remaining on the schedule, beginning on Thursday, Aug. 15, when they take on the Minnesota Lynx in Minnesota at 8 p.m. before returning for a return match on Saturday at 2 p.m. in the Entertainment & Sports Arena in Southeast D.C.
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