As the WNBA returns from its World Cup break, the Washington Mystics open a four-game stretch to finish the regular season with playoff seeding from No. 3 through No. 8 still up for grabs.
The Mystics are currently in a three-way tie with the New York Liberty and Dallas Wings for sixth place, but they are just two games behind Atlanta and Indiana and three games in back of Las Vegas. The Chicago Sky are eliminated from the playoff hunt but still have a role to play as spoilers.
Washington (24-16) won three of its last four games before the World Cup break. The Mystics are led by their young trio of stars: second-year standouts Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen, and center Shakira Austin.
Citron, following her second All-Star selection, is averaging 16.8 points and 4.3 assists per game. Austin also averages 16.8 points per game and ranks third in the league in total rebounds with 367. Iriafen is averaging 15.3 points and 9.4 rebounds per game.
Citron and Iriafen were part of the U.S. gold medal-winning World Cup squad. “Those are big moments for players to be that young to have this kind of opportunity,” said Mystics coach Sydney Johnson.
Citron, however, will miss Thursday’s game for personal reasons. Guard Georgia Amoore (knee) is questionable.
Johnson described Washington’s focus in these final four regular-season games as “making sure that our old habits are kind of cemented.” Johnson added, “Everybody’s looking to improve and play their best basketball.”
Chicago (15-25) has struggled since losing top scorer Rickea Jackson (18.0 points per game) to a season-ending injury after just four games. Skylar Diggins (14.2 points per game) was limited to 19 games due to her own season-ending injury.
Second-year center Kamilla Cardoso is averaging 14.8 points and 8.7 rebounds per game, while rookie guard Sydney Taylor is averaging 13.8 points per game. The Sky lost three games in a row before the World Cup break.
“I think it’s just been a tough season,” said Sky coach Tyler Marsh. “We want to… (come) back with the mindset of finishing the season strong.”
–Field Level Media
