One Step Closer

The Mystics took an important step closer to securing a playoff berth by defeating the Storm tonight at the Verizon Center, 78-67. Washington's victory also snapped Seattle's (league-best) 6-game winning streak.

The Storm may have been playing without Lauren Jackson, but the Mystics were playing without Alana Beard, who sprained her left ankle in Sunday's win over Minny and did not dress for tonight's game. (Well, actually she did dress . . . very stylishly we might add. We don't want to leave the impression she was unclothed! She just wasn't dressed in her uniform -- for basketball.) The BasketCases were told that AB wanted to play tonight. But the Mystics are headed to Chicago for a game tomorrow against the Sky (one of the teams competing with the Mystics for a playoff spot). A game that, for better or for worse, will result in a full game swing in the standings between Washington and Chicago. So perhaps Coach Plank thought it wise to give Alana another day to heal so she could play some minutes tomorrow in Chicago.

Tonight's game was another competitive, close, 40-minute affair --both teams crashing the boards and clamping down on de-fense. The Mystics lead by 2 at halftime, and were ahead by the same margin when the final period began. And it was still only a 2-point game halfway throught the 4th quarter. But down the stretch, the short-handed Mystics made some big plays, and finally put the game away.

The win was a complete, balanced -- and exciting -- team effort from Washington, who indeed "stepped up" with AB on the sidelines. Five players finished in double figures, led by Mo Currie, whose 17-points (which included a critical 3-pointer late in the game) tied for game-high honors with Sue Bird. Matee Ajavon, who started in place of Alana, added 16 points and 4 steals. Matee's hustle and all-out effort were a sheer delight . . . she is quickly becoming another fan favorite! Marissa Coleman (her slump now history) was close behind with 15 (a perfect 3-3 from beyond the arc!). Lang struggled early but finished with 12 points (and 11 boards, for yet another double-double), and Nakia added 10. Yes, plenty of high-stepping from Alana's teammates!

The officiating tonight was typical of what we've seen in the WNBA many times before . . . bad calls for and bad calls against each team. In fact, there were so many whistles, the game seemed to take forever. Fortunately, the Mystics' lackluster performance from the free throw line didn't cost them tonight's game, but it remains an area of concern . . . particularly in this oh-so-tight playoff race.

At the moment though, what the Mystics need is as much rest as they can get before tomorrow night, when they play the second half of another infamous WNBA back-to-back. They tip-off against the Sky -- in Chicago -- at 8:30 PM ET (you can watch on Live Access).

Following tonight's win, the Mystics are back at .500 with a record of 15-15 and all alone in third place in the East. But Chicago, at 14-16, could pull even with Washington, if they could knock off the Mystics tomorrow. Or, the Mystics could create some critical separation between themselves and the Sky if they win. So once again, much will be on the line . . . another MUST win situation. Stay tuned.

Go Mystics, Beat the Sky

Photo Credit: DC BasketCases