The first meeting between the Mystics and Sacramento Monarchs this season is not a pleasant memory for Washington.
The Mystics were hobbled by injury and it showed. Sacramento won, 73-60, at Verizon Center. That loss dropped the Mystics to 9-10, their first dip below .500 this season.
The Mystics get a second chance to knock off the defending WNBA champions tonight in Sacramento. But unlike the last meeting, the Mystics will be playing at full strength.
Mystics forward DeLisha Milton-Jones sat out that game with a sprained MCL in her left knee and All-Star Alana Beard was playing her first game after missing two with a sprained right ankle. Beard later admitted she returned too soon.
“Having DeLisha in there makes things easier for us as a team,” Beard said. “She brings so much on both the offensive and defensive ends and she can score from anywhere on the court. With her back in the line-up and me at full strength, we know we have a good shot to win in Sacramento.”
Milton-Jones has thrived since returning from injury, averaging 15.7 points per game, compared to the 12.5 that she averaged before the injury.
The Mystics’ 86-78 loss in Seattle Thursday, coupled with Indiana’s win over Minnesota, extended the Fever’s lead over the Mystics for the third seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs to 2 1/2 games.
Washington Mystics (16-13) AT Sacramento Monarchs (19-11)
» Where: ARCO Arena, Sacramento
» Where: Saturday, 10 p.m.
» Radio: WWRC-1260 AM
