Field Level Media
21 May 2022, 23:55 GMT+10
Just two seasons after winning the WNBA Finals, the Washington Mystics missed the playoffs in 2021.
The Mystics (5-1) are off to a good start in their bid to right the ship. They'll look to continue their good fortune on Sunday afternoon when they host the Chicago Sky in Washington, D.C.
The Mystics came from behind to record a 78-73 victory over the Atlanta Dream on Friday. Atlanta held a double-digit lead in the second half before Washington came storming back, all without leading scorer Elena Delle Donne.
Delle Donne, 32, is attempting to get back into the swing of things after missing almost two seasons with back surgeries and COVID-19 precautions. Her status for Sunday's game is to be determined.
Delle Donne is the only player ever to win a WNBA MVP award for two different franchises (Chicago, Washington) in the league's history.
Rookie Shakira Austin has made an instant impact with the Mystics, averaging 9.2 points and 6.0 rebounds per game. Austin was the third overall pick of the 2022 WNBA Draft out of Ole Miss.
"I just know that I'm built for it," Austin said about her expanding role, per the Washington Post. "... I don't think I need to wait."
Just seven months removed from their first title, the Sky (2-2) are off to a mediocre start. Chicago is coming off of a 74-71 loss to the Seattle Storm on Wednesday.
The Sky have put together a very balanced effort so far this season. Chicago has five players averaging in double figures in scoring, led by veteran forward Candace Parker. The two-time MVP is averaging 13.5 points.
Kahleah Copper, the WNBA Finals MVP last year, is set to make her season debut after returning from overseas play. She averaged 14.4 points and 4.2 rebounds per game in the 2021 regular season.
"(Coming off the WNBA championship season), teams overseas were more physical," Copper said, per the Chicago Sun-Times. "They were definitely trying to make things tougher, but I embraced it."
--Field Level MediaGet a daily dose of Austin Globe news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Austin Globe.
More InformationFRANKLIN, Tennessee: Hundreds of thousands of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles are being recalled across the United States due to a potential...
REDMOND, Washington: Microsoft is the latest tech giant to announce significant job cuts, as the financial strain of building next-generation...
LONDON UK - U.S. stock markets were closed on Friday for Independence Day. Global Forex Markets Wrap Up Friday with Greeback Comeback...
SANTA CLARA, California: Nvidia came within a whisker of making financial history on July 3, briefly surpassing Apple's all-time market...
SACRAMENTO, California: California's multibillion-dollar farms are facing a growing crisis—not from drought or pests, but from a sudden...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: President Donald Trump says the United States could soon reach a trade deal with India. He believes this deal would...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: In a significant ruling last week, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a Texas law requiring age verification for users...
Around two dozen girls remain missing after a deadly flash flood swept through a local Christian camp Deadly flash flooding in the...
(Photo credit: Ronald W. Erdrich/Reporter-News / USA TODAY NETWORK) Four-star wide receiver Kaydon Finley has committed to Notre...
(Photo credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images) Former NFL linebacker Bryan Braman is 'in the fight of his life,' battling a rare and aggressive...
(Photo credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images) Colorado coach Deion Sanders, who has been suffering from an undisclosed medical condition,...
(Photo credit: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images) Dan Wilson and Ken Griffey Jr. were teammates when the latter hit a franchise-record...