For the first time in her WNBA career, Crystal Robinson will head to the visitors locker room in New York’s Madison Square Garden tonight when the Mystics meet the host Liberty.
“New York gave me my start,” Robinson said. “It will always be special to play there and I’ll always be partial to that city.”
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Robinson, who signed with the Mystics in the off-season as a free agent, spent the first seven seasons of her career in New York. She helped the Liberty to six playoff appearances, including trips to the WNBA Finals in 1999, 2000 and 2002. The Liberty lost each championship bid, to Houston in 1999 and 2000 and Los Angeles in 2002.
“I’m still hungry for that championship,” Robinson said. “That’s my goal and the goal of everyone else on this team.”
Robinson’s return to New York is tempered by a knee injury that sidelined teammate DeLisha Milton-Jones as well as Robinson’s own sprained ankle. Like Milton-Jones, Robinson suffered the injury against the Liberty on Saturday at Verizon Center. Robinson briefly left the game but returnedand is expected to start tonight.
“My ankle is sore, but I’ll be okay to play,” said Robinson, who has settled in as the Mystics’ starting small forward. “Right now I’m just focused on trying to help out my team as much as I can while DeLisha is out. That situation has definitely replaced any emotion I’ve had about returning to New York.”
Washington Mystics (7-3) at New York Liberty (2-9)
» Where: Madison Square Garden
» When: Tonight at 7:30
» TV: MSG
» Radio: WWRC-1260
