Washington Mystics vs Minnesota Lynx Preview

Mystics  vs Lynx

When: Friday, Aug 8th, at 7:30 p.m.

Where: Target Center, Minneapolis, MN

TV: League Pass | Monumental Sports Network | ION

Injury

Mystics: Georgia Amoore (Out for the Season/ACL), Jacy Sheldon (Out / Not Injury Related)

Lynx: Jessica Shepard (Questionable / Ankle), Napheesa Collier (Out/ Ankle)

Keep An Eye on: 

Lynx Backcourt: The Washington Mystics must focus on slowing down the Minnesota Lynx backcourt of Courtney Williams and Kayla McBride, especially with MVP favorite Napheesa Collier sidelined indefinitely with an ankle injury. With Collier out, Williams and McBride have taken on the bulk of the scoring load, proving their capability in a statement win over the Storm where Williams posted 20 points, 4 assists, and 4 rebounds on 8-20 shooting, including 2-4 from deep, while McBride added 14 points, a team-high 6 rebounds, and 2 assists. On the season, Williams is averaging 13.9 points per game on 39% from three and 83% from the free-throw line, while McBride is putting up 14.8 points per game on 40% from deep and an elite 94% from the line. If Washington hopes to pull off an upset, everything begins and ends with containing these two prolific guards.

Accepting the Business: of professional basketball and continuing to perform. The Washington Mystics must come to terms with the harsh reality that professional basketball is a business, one that can be difficult to process emotionally. That was evident in their 78-64 loss to the Chicago Sky, where they appeared flat and overwhelmed for most of the game following the trade of leading scorer Brittney Sykes to the Seattle Storm. The emotional toll only deepened when second-year forward Aaliyah Edwards was dealt right before Thursday’s trade deadline. While emotions will understandably run high, the Mystics must regroup, refocus, and lock in if they hope to secure a much-needed win.