Washington Mystics vs Los Angeles Sparks Preview

Mystics 8-14 vs Sparks 10-13

When: Tuesday, Aug 24th, at 7 p.m.

Where: Entertainment and Sports Arena, Washington, DC

TV: ESPN 3 / Radio: N/A

Injury

Mystics: Tina Charles (Out, Back), Shavonte Zellous (Questionable, Ankle)

Sparks: Jasmine Walker (Out for the Season, Knee), Maria Vadeeva (Out, Personal)

Mystics -

81.0 - points per game

84.0 - points against

40.3 - Field Goal %

Sparks -

74.0 - points per game

78.9- points against

40.5 - Field Goal %

Keep an eye on:

Bench Production: for Washington has to improve if they're going to make playoff push. The starters are worn down from playing heavy minutes throughout the season and in Tina's and Ariel's case, they're even more worn down due to their run at the Tokyo Olympics recently. In the Mystics four game losing streak following the Olympic break, the reserves are averaging 14.2 points per game, while their opposition, is averaging 22.7 points per game. During the losing streak Washington has won the bench battle just once, outscoring Phoenix 19-16. Washington's reserves has to up their level of play offensively to take the load off the starting unit and to make things harder for opposing teams, in tonight's case LA, to game plan for them. Doing so will provide a much needed boost overall.

Nneka Ogwumike Revenge Tour: has been both great to see and expected following her inexcusable Tokyo Olympics snub. She's one of the all time greats, and slights, especially questionable ones, fuels any competitor. Since her return following the Olympic break, Ogwumike is averaging 14.5 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 2.2 steals on 53 percent shooting from the field for the Sparks.....oh and all four games have been victories. With Tina Charles out and Elena Delle Donne on a minutes restriction and still getting her rhythm back in all aspects, Myisha Hines-Allen will be needed to have a big game on both ends to help Washington position themselves to end their four game losing streak and to end the Sparks hot start to the second half of the season.