As a free agent earlier this year, Alysha Clark signed a two-year deal with the Washington Mystics. A two-time WNBA champion, Clark’s offensive prowess combined with her defensive strength has earned her an elite reputation. Alysha Clark to miss the 2021 WNBA season, a preseason upset for the Washington Mystics, and here is why…
So, it’s not surprising that basketball fans have been eagerly awaiting Clark’s return to basketball as a Mystics player. Unfortunately, we are going to have to wait another season to see Clark in action. After suffering a Lisfranc injury to her right foot, Clark announced on March 29th that she will be out for the 2021 WNBA season.
While her injury comes as a devastating blow to the Mystics; the veteran forward seems to be looking at her recovery as a personal challenge to be overcome. “Look back at struggles as opportunities to grow your character,” Clark tweeted yesterday with regards to her injury.
Look at struggles as opportunities to grow your character. Be willing to be bent in the midst of difficulties. Be willing to embrace the tension. Comeback starts now🙏🏽🤞🏽 https://t.co/mSWGJm5her
— Alysha Clark (@Alysha_Clark) March 29, 2021
As Clark’s 2021 will now be devoted to her recovery process, the Mystics are going to have to push onwards without her. Despite the Mystics’ capable roster, Clark’s absence will certainly be a major obstacle to the team. After all, the 33-year-old has been selected to the WNBA First and Second All-Defensive Team, unanimously so in 2020.
Since she majorly stepped up in the 2020 Wubble—during which Tasha Cloud, Elena Delle Donne, Tina Charles and LaToya Sanders were all absent—Myisha Hines-Allen found herself playing substantially more minutes than in previous seasons, and rising up to the occasion.
Once again, the Mystics will find themselves relying on Hines-Allen to fill gaps. Though it seems likely that Emma Meesseman will be absent for most, if not all, of the 2021 WNBA season, Elena Delle Donne will be returning, alongside Tasha Cloud and Tina Charles.
The addition of these key players will make it easier for Hines-Allen to fill the shoes of absent Clark, but the 25-year-old has a big challenge ahead of her nonetheless. If Hines-Allen can play as she did in the Wubble in the upcoming season; she just might be able to mitigate the loss of Clark to the Mystics.
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