Mystics 2-3 vs Suns 5-1
When: Friday, May 28th, at 7p.m.
Where: Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, CT
TV: Facebook, CBSSN, JoeTV / Radio: N/A
Injury
Mystics: Elena Delle Donne (Out, Back), Kiara Leslie (Illness, Questionable)
Suns: Briann January (Questionable, Ankle)
Mystics -
77.8 - points per game
78.2 - points against
38.2 - Field Goal %
Suns -
82.5 - points per game
72.3 - points against
44.3 - Field Goal %
Keep an eye on:
Tina Charles vs Jonquel Jones: Obviously. Both are early season MVP candidates due to their stellar play on both ends of the floor. Charles is leading the WNBA in scoring at 26.2 points per game and pulling down 8.4 rebounds per game (tied for 8th in the WNBA) while shooting 46 percent from the field, 33 percent from deep and 84 percent from the charity stripe. Jonquel Jones has been LITERALLY lights out so far this season. The former George Washington standout is posting 20 points (7th in the WNBA), 11.2 rebounds(1st in the WNBA), 1.8 steals (tied for 5th in the WNBA) and 1 block per game on 54 percent shooting from the field, 44 percent from deep and 75 percent from the line. You don't play at a much higher level then what we're witnessing from these two ladies right now. They're going to deliver blows to each other all game, inside the paint and outside on the perimeter, however, whichever player figures out how to elevate their teammates the best, will ultimately lead their respective team to victory.
Rebounding: is key in any game, yet, in this contest, it will be major. Connecticut comes into tonight's contest first in the WNBA in rebounding, grabbing 40.5 boards a game. Washington is seventh in the WNBA, averaging 35.6 rebounds per game. Washington will have to keep a body on someone in the paint and be relentless going for rebounds. A positive sign for Washington when it comes to tonight's battle on the boards is that they're a very good offensive rebounding team. Washington is third in the league in ORB at 10.8 a game. Tina Charles (2.4) is a given, Myisha Hines-Allen (2.0) return helps a lot but reserve forward Erica McCall has been the one opening eyes on the boards. McCall leads the Mystics and is sixth in the WNBA in ORB at 3.0 per game. Look for Washington to maintain this high level of offensive rebounding, especially if their shooting struggles return. It will be needed to convert second chance points and to get to the line for free throws.
Sun's 3-point shooting: has been a deadly weapon for Connecticut and one they have used to demoralize teams through the early part of the season. Connecticut is second in the WNBA in 3-point shooting percentage, knocking down 40.2 percent per game. The Sun has four players shooting 35 percent or better. DeWanna Bonner leads the Sun, shooting 53 percent from deep, Jones is next at 44 percent from deep and Natisha Hiedeman and Jasmine Thomas are shooting 39 and 35 percent from 3-point territory respectively. It's a lot of shooting around the floor, the Mystics need to be on point defensively when closing out on shooters and rotating, similar to what they displayed in their win over New York.