The Connecticut Sun finally wrapped up a WNBA playoff spot, but there’s still work to do.
The Washington Mystics are in more dire need of a win, particularly with roster questions ahead of Tuesday night’s matchup against the Sun in Washington.
The Sun (22-10) are one of three teams to earn a postseason berth thus far, doing so by snapping a three-game skid with Sunday’s 79-73 victory at Chicago.
The Mystics (15-17), who had a two-game win streak halted with Sunday’s loss to Dallas, might be challenged to reach the postseason.
Washington may also have to make its charge without Elena Delle Donne, who sat out Sunday with a right hip injury. She is listed as questionable for Tuesday.
Thibault said an ankle ailment that had been bothering Delle Donne is no longer a problem. She has played only 11 minutes in one game since July 9.
But with the 6-foot-5 Delle Donne out, and 6-foot-5 Shakira Austin having played only two games since June — and sitting out Sunday as a precaution to monitor her workload — the Mystics are vulnerable in the post.
“Everything we talked about that we did well to get our last couple of wins, defensively, we didn’t commit to,” Mystics coach Eric Thibault said.
Austin (hip strain) is listed as probable for Tuesday, while Kristi Toliver (plantar fasciitis) remains out.
Defense tends to be the difference for the Sun, who held their opponents to 73 points or fewer in its past four victories. Connecticut gave up 87 or more points in its last four defeats.
Yet becoming crisper on offense is also a topic for the Sun.
“Move and shift quicker instead of standing and watching,” coach Stephanie White said. “We either have to go right away or give it a chance to develop.”
Connecticut has won all three meetings with Washington this season, claiming six- and seven-point triumphs across a three-day span in May and picking up a 92-84 home victory July 9.
DeWanna Bonner has been the Sun’s top scorer in two of the three meetings with the Mystics.
This is the second game of Washington’s four-game homestand. It marks Connecticut’s penultimate road game of the regular season.
–Field Level Media
