Photo via Mystics Instagram
The Washington Mystics will play two preseason games before they kick off their 2024 season on Tuesday, May 14th, against the eastern conference champion, New York Liberty. They will play one preseason game on the road this Sunday against the Atlanta Dream and their preseason home game will be against the Minnesota Lynx on Wednesday. Even though these are preseason games, this is when habits are formed, roster spots are earned and the competition starts. The Mystics will be without their former league MVP, Elena Delle Donne for the foreseeable future as she is taking time away from basketball Mystics' Elena Delle Donne taking break from basketball, sources say - ESPN
Here are the three players I’m looking out for as their season opener approaches:
Shakira Austin
The 2022 third overall pick missed a good portion of last season due to injury. She is a game-time decision for Sunday with a hip injury. The DMV native averaged 10 points and seven rebounds per game last season and will likely be asked to play a bigger role in the offense. Mystics general manager Mike Thibault will look at Austin to be a leader for this group Mike Thibault discusses state of the 2024 Mystics | Monumental Sports Network
Aaliyah Edwards
The UConn product was drafted to the Mystics with the sixth pick in this year’s draft in hopes that she will work well alongside Austin
Edwards was an absolute force during her senior collegiate season, averaging close to 18 points and around nine rebounds per game, helping UConn reach the Final Four. In her junior year, she became the first UConn player to have a 20 point 20 rebound game since Maya Moore in 2010. Edwards has high expectations for her new team, and she will most likely be a top option for Washington.
Brittney Sykes
Brittney Sykes has been recognized as an All-League defensive player but last season, she improved in every aspect of her game. In her first season with the Mystics, she averaged career-highs: 15.9 points, five rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 2.1 steals per game. Her three-point percentage and makes were also at career-high marks of 35% and 1.4 makes. She made the All-WNBA Defensive First Team, finished fourth in the Most Improved Player of the Year award and third in the Defensive Player of the Year award. She started and played in 40 games (most in her career). Her play overall has improved, and she will be likely looked at to play a bigger role with Natasha Cloud signing with the Phoenix Mercury in free agency.
These three players will most likely be the big three for the Mystics this season and I’m sure the fans are excited to see how these fantastic women will perform.