On September 1st at 3 AM, the WNBA regular season continues with the Washington Mystics hosting the Connecticut Sun.
The Washington Mystics have performed poorly this season, only achieving a record of 9 wins and 22 losses, placing them in 10th position in the league. Fortunately, the Mystics’ recent form has shown some improvement, with consecutive victories over the Sparks, Storm, and Sky, securing a three-game winning streak and keeping their hopes alive for a playoff push. In the last game against the Sky, the team completed a comeback in the final quarter, extending their winning streak. Dolson scored 17 points and grabbed 6 rebounds, while Atkins contributed 15 points and 6 rebounds. The offensive performance was not particularly outstanding, benefiting more from the opponent’s 21 turnovers.
This three-game winning streak is crucial for the Mystics, both preserving their chance for a playoff berth and boosting the team’s confidence. However, the Mystics’ offensive performance this season has been quite poor, averaging only 79 points per game, ranking third-last in the league. Additionally, the Mystics have a significant weakness, committing an average of 15.4 turnovers per game, second-highest in the league; they also average only 32 rebounds per game, placing them last in the league. Furthermore, the Mystics lack a primary scoring option; Dolson had an excellent performance in the last game, but it was Sykes who led the scoring in the previous two games.
The Connecticut Sun have performed well this season, with a record of 22 wins and 8 losses, placing them second in the league and securing a playoff spot. However, the Sun suffered a surprising loss to the Fever in their last game, ending their three-game winning streak. They failed to showcase their strong defense, allowing the Fever to hit 13 three-pointers, ultimately losing 80-84. Although their three-game winning streak ended, the Sun’s momentum remains good, as they have won 3 out of their last 5 games, including a victory over the top-ranked Liberty.
The Sun’s defensive performance this season has been formidable, conceding an average of only 73.4 points per game. Facing the offensively challenged Mystics, they are likely to maintain the upper hand. The Sun have many options on offense, with six players averaging double-digit points. They recently traded for Mabrey, further enhancing their roster depth. Currently, the highest scorer for the Sun is Bonner, averaging 16.1 points per game; Thomas continues to be versatile, averaging 11.4 points, 9 rebounds, and 7.8 assists per game.
This will be the fourth meeting between the two teams this season. In the previous three encounters, the Sun won all three games, remaining undefeated in the last seven meetings. This time, playing at home, can the Mystics extend their momentum and take revenge on the Sun to secure a four-game winning streak, continuing their push towards the playoffs? Let’s wait and see.
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