Mystics 15-18 vs Aces 30-4
When: Saturday, August 26th, at 7:00p.m.
Where: Entertainment & Sports Arena, Washington, DC
TV: NBA TV, WNBA League Pass
Injury
Mystics: Elena Delle Donne (Probable, Right Hip), Natasha Cloud ( Questionable, Non Covid Illness), Kristi Toliver (Out, Plantar Fasciitis )
Aces: Candace Parker (Out Indefinitely, Ankle), Riquna Williams (Out, Indefinite Suspension)
Keep an eye on:
A'ja Wilson: has become the unquestioned face of the WNBA. Deservedly so. The Aces have the best record in the league at 30-4, Wilson is third in the W in scoring (22.1 ppg), second in the W in rebounding (9.5 rpg), first in the W in total blocks (72) and blocks per game (2.1 bpg)......oh, she tied the WNBA single game record for points in a game with a 53 point performance back on August 23rd in a win over the Atlanta Dream. It's a tall order, especially with a wounded front court, however, Washington has to keep Wilson in check to have a chance to win a game they absolutely need to win.
Cloud/Sykes Two Woman Game: is potent, yet, recently, they've rarely had big games at the same time. Washington needs BOTH guards to do what they do in the same game...especially tonight. Over the last four games, the Mystics are 2-2. In wins over the Chicago Sky and Indiana Fever. Brittney Sykes had games of 30 points, 6 assists, 5 STEALS, 4 rebounds and 30 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. In losses to the Wings and Sun, Cloud took the lead, posting 22 points and 3 assists against Dallas and 19 points, 5 assists and 4 rebounds in a tough game against the Sun. Defensively, we know what they will bring, offensively, they have to be hititng on all cylinders together for the Mystics to have a chance tonight.
Three Point Shooting: is a big deal in tonight's contest. The Aces have been the top 3-point shooting team in the W all season, knocking down 38.2 percent from three point territory. Las Vegas also has two of the top ten 3-point shooters in the WNBA in Jackie Young who is first in the league in thee point shooting at 45.8 percent and Chelsea Gray who comes in fifth in the league, converting 42.9 percent from deep. Then you have Alysha Clark and Kelsey Plum, who hit 40 percent and 39.7 percent from deep respectively.
Washington comes in ninth in the W in 3-point shooting at 33 percent. It's no secret, along with dealing with the Aces monster inside, they have to defend their shooters well AND hit a few three pointers in an efficient manner to knock off the defending champs. The Aces have four losses on their resume, so it's possible, difficult as hell to do.....but it's possible.
