Washington Mystics vs Minnesota Lynx Preview

Mystics  vs Lynx

When: Thursday, July 3rd, at 8:00 p.m.

Where: Target Center, Minneapolis, MN

TV: League Pass

Injury

Mystics: Georgia Amoore (Out for the Season/ACL), Sug Sutton (Game Time Decision/Ankle)

Lynx: Karlie Samuelson (Out/ Foot)

Keep An Eye on: 

Washington's Efficient Execution: on both ends of the floor tonight against the Lynx is a MUST. Offensively, Washington will need to capitalize on every possession against a team that allows the fewest points per game (74.1) and leads the league in defensive rating (96.5), forcing opponents into constant contested looks  That means limit the turnovers (16) that the Lynx turned into 26 points last time these two teams matched up, a Mystics win, back on June 24th, and shoot a high percentage—especially from deep, where Minnesota paces the WNBA at 3‑point accuracy (36.3%).  Defensively, the Mystics must disrupt Minnesota’s flow, pressure ball-handlers, and look to stifle the WNBA's leading scorer Napheesa Collier, whose all around impact (24.4 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 3.7 apg, 1.8 spg and 1.5 bpg) drives the league's top team. They will need to swarm shooters like Kayla McBride, who is shooting at 45/41/97 splits on the season and force contested perimeter shots. Minnesota leads the W in field-goal percentage (46.7%), assists (23.9), and 5.1 blocks per game. Only with sharp execution—protecting the paint, limiting second-chance looks, and executing crisp half-court sets—can the Mystics put themselves in a position to upset a dominant Lynx squad.