PREVIEW: Mystics and Lynx meet Tuesday night for first 2021 regular season matchup
The Mystics will face the Minnesota Lynx for their first regular-season matchup on Tuesday night in Washington, DC. The two teams faced each other during preseason, with the Mystics falling 79-68 to the Lynx. The Lynx began the regular season 0-4, leaving them last place in league standings, but have since won 3 straight games. Washington has also seen improvements on and off the court, making this matchup one you won’t want to miss.
GAME INFO
Entertainment & Sports Arena | Tuesday, June 8 | 7:00 P.M. | Twitter, NBC Sports Washington, NBA TV Canada
PROBABLE STARTERS
Mystics: G – Natasha Cloud, G – Ariel Atkins, G – Shavonte Zellous, F – Myisha Hines-Allen, F – Tina Charles
Lynx: F – Napheesa Collier, F – Bridget Carleton, C – Sylvia Fowles, G – Kayla McBride, G – Layshia Clarendon
INJURY REPORT
Mystics – Elena Delle Donne (back – out), Sydney Wiese (right ankle sprain – out), Ariel Atkins (back – questionable)
Lynx – Damiris Dantis (lower back – out), Rennia Davis (left foot stress fracture – out), Aerial Powers (left hamstring sprain – out)
STORYLINES
Mystics Dynamic Duo
Myisha Hines-Allen and Ariel Atkins were unstoppable in the Mystics narrow loss to the Aces on Saturday. The duo accounted for 61 of the team’s 93 points in Saturday’s narrow loss to the Aces. Atkins career-high 29-points served as her third 20+ point game through the first seven games of this season. During the 2020 season, Atkins totaled five 20+ point games. Head Coach Mike Thibault credits Atkins’ confidence to her performance this season, saying, “She got her confidence up in shooting the ball. She knows she can be one of the best in the league and she’s acting like it.”
In the four games she’s been back for Washington, Hines-Allen has made her presence known on the court. With 32 points and 13 rebounds in Saturday’s game, Hines-Allen had her third consecutive double-double of the season, which is the longest streak of her career. Hines-Allen and Atkins look to continue their momentum from the last game into Tuesday’s game against the Lynx.
Lynx Heating Up
The Minnesota Lynx started off the season 0-4, leaving them last place in WNBA standings. The signing of guard Layshia Clarendon in late May helped the Lynx change their momentum, getting their first win of the season that same day against the Sun. Minnesota picked up two more wins against the Atlanta Dream, making it 3 consecutive wins for the Lynx. Sylvia Fowles has been a big asset to the team’s performance, leading in both points and rebounds, averaging 17.3 and 9.1 respectively.
With improved performances on both sides, the matchup between these teams will be one to watch. Click here to purchase tickets to Tuesday evening’s game at Entertainment and Sports Arena.