Opportunity Knocks Down Mystics. Tonight's game against the Indiana Fever, with an injured Tamika Catchings in street clothes, presented an opportunity for Washington to pick up a much-needed win and gain back a full game on Chicago (which lost tonight to Connecticut) and New York (which lost to L.A. in the Garden . . . the Libs' 7th consecutive loss). But while the opportunity knocked, as the Mystics faced a team on a 6-game losing streak without All Star Catchings . . . the Mystics failed to answer, losing to the Fever, 66-57, for the fourth time this season.

The Mystics started slowly on the road, scoring only 15 points in the first quarter, falling behind by 9. In quarter #2, Indy left the door wide open for a Washington comeback, scoring only 6 points in the second 10 minutes. Unfortunately, the Mystics managed only 9 points themselves, hardly doing better in quarter #3 (12 points), while Indy recovered, scoring 20. So the Mystics entered the 4th quarter down 36-50 (having failed to hit a field goal in five minutes). Naturally, the Mystics outscored Indy in the 4th, but not surprisingly, it was too little, too late. Déjà vu all over again.

The Mystics are now 10-15 overall, and 4-11 against Eastern Conference opponents. And with only 9 games remaining, tonight's loss means that for the 10th straight season, the Mystics will not manage to win 20 games.