The Washington Mystics keep climbing and there’s more they want to accomplish.
The next chance for that comes Sunday afternoon against the visiting Los Angeles Sparks.
The Mystics (15-18) have won two of their last three games to eclipse last season’s win total. They are coming off an 88-84 victory on Friday night at Indiana, marking the ninth time that Washington has overcome a double-digit deficit to win this season.
Sonia Citron notched 21 points against the Fever. The rookie guard has been the Mystics’ leading scorer in four of the last five games and in six of the last eight.
The Sparks (16-17) remain just ahead of Washington in the standings after holding on to beat the host Dallas Wings 97-96 with a late defensive stop Friday night.
Kelsey Plum has been the top scorer for Los Angeles in three straight games, including 28 points at Dallas.
The Sparks have received strong contributions around the lineup, including clutch performances from Azura Stevens. She has scored at least 15 points in three consecutive games while playing a total of 67 minutes without a turnover in the last two contests.
“She’s playing with a high level of confidence that she should be, and when players start playing confidently, they get to another level, and I think she’s gotten to another level,” Sparks coach Lynne Roberts said.
Julie Allemand has been similarly efficient. Her 12-point, 10-assist double-double against Dallas drew attention.
“It’s impossible to take her off the floor,” Roberts said.
Washington tries to halt a two-game home losing skid. Sunday’s game will be a chance for the first home game for guard Madison Scott, who signed a seven-day contract and came off the bench Friday night for her WNBA debut.
“She wears defense all over her, she’s got great length and athleticism,” Mystics coach Sydney Johnson said. “But then there’s also the want-to.”
The Sparks defeated Washington 99-90 and 93-86 in back-to-back games separated by a week in mid-July.
The Mystics’ leading scorers in the first two matchups vs. Los Angeles were Brittney Sykes, who has since been traded to Seattle, and Shakira Austin, who hasn’t played in more than a week because of an injury.
–Field Level Media
