PREVIEW: Mystics and Sparks meet Thursday night for first season matchup
GAME INFO
Entertainment & Sports Arena | Thursday, June 10 | 7:00 P.M. | CBS Sports Network, NBC Sports Washington, Spectrum SportsNet
PROBABLE STARTERS
Mystics: G – Natasha Cloud, G – Ariel Atkins, G – Shavonte Zellous, F – Myisha Hines-Allen, F – Tina Charles
Sparks: G – Erica Wheeler, G – Kristi Toliver, G – Te’a Cooper, F – Nia Coffey, C – Amanda Zahui B.
INJURY REPORT
Mystics – Elena Delle Donne (back – out), Sydney Wiese (right ankle sprain – out), Ariel Atkins (back – probable)
Sparks – Jasmine Walker (right knee – out), Chiney Ogwumike (right knee – out), Nneka Ogwumike (left knee – out)
STORYLINES
Mystics Confidence Improving
After picking up a win against the Minnesota Lynx on Tuesday night, the Mystics hope to carry over that momentum into Thursday night’s game against the Los Angeles Sparks. When asked what the team wants to replicate against the Sparks, Natasha Cloud shared, “Our energy, our attention to detail, our togetherness…all around tonight was just a great team win and that’s the team that we can be consistently.”
This mentality is shared by other members of the team. Veteran player Tina Charles, who scored 31 points in the team’s victory over the Lynx, confirms the team’s improved confidence, saying “The sky is the limit and we’re definitely in control of this season.”
Matchup Against Sparks
The Mystics face the Los Angeles Sparks for the first of three meetings this season. The two teams last met on September 10, 2020, with the Mystics winning 80-72. During this game, Myisha Hines-Allen scored 30 points, the most points scored by a Mystics player against the Sparks in a single game series history.
Both the Mystics and Sparks are coming off wins, with Los Angeles’ victory over Chicago Sky, pulling over .500 for the first time this season. Erica Wheeler led the team in scoring with a season-high 22 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists. The Sparks went on a 15-6 run in the final quarter of the game to secure the win. The Mystics also had a significant run in the second half of their last game, going 20-2 to help hold onto the lead.
The matchup between the Washington Mystics and Los Angeles Sparks takes place on Thursday, June 10 at 7:00 PM at Entertainment & Sports Arena in DC. Click here for tickets.