The Washington Mystics are headed back to the WNBA playoffs. The Mike Thibault coached team missed the playoffs in 2021. However, with a healthy Elena Delle Donne and Alysha Clark, plus rookie sensation Shakira Austin, the Mystics are poised to make a run in the 2022 playoffs.
A Mild Start to the Season
The Mystics began the 2022 season with several uncertainties. How many games would Delle Donne play? Is Alysha Clark healthy enough to be a factor? Would rookie Shakira Austin be able to make an impact? New additions to the team, Elizabeth Williams, Rui Machida and returning forward Tianna Hawkins, were also to factor in.
Through May, Washington would turn up a record of 6-3, with Delle Donne missing two games due to rest. During the nine-game stretch, the team would average nearly 80 points per game. Their three losses in May were against the Dallas Wings, Chicago Sky and Connecticut Sun. Offensive struggles was the ultimate factor in two of their losses. In the loss against the Sun, both Delle Donne and Clark were out, resulting in a low-scoring game for them.
Rocky Road During June
June would prove to be a rough month for the Mystics, resulting in a 6-6 record. Delle Donne would play in just seven out of their twelve games. A small dip in scoring would see Washington average 79 ppg. Key losses to Seattle, Chicago and New York (twice) would still keep them in the middle of the standings. A small roster adjustment would see Kennedy Burke waived on June 24 and subsequently, rookie Evina Westbrook signed three days later. Rookie Forward Austin would average 8.3 pgg and 7.25 rebounds per game during the month.
An Improved July
July saw just eight games for the Mystics, to which they put up a 5-3 record. Their offense was back up slightly to 79.75 ppg and their three losses came against Connecticut, Phoenix and Seattle. Delle Donne would only miss one game for the month; their July 3 loss against the Sun. Elena has missed ten games in total for the season (so far). Her numbers are nearing MVP-level territory. However, having played in roughly just two-thirds of their games, Delle Donne has taken herself out of the possible MVP race.
📊 Stat of the Week 📊
— Her Hoop Stats (@herhoopstats) August 2, 2022
Elena Delle Donne has the only 50/40/90 season in W history, accomplishing the feat in 2019. Incredibly, she might do it again this season, as she’s shooting 49.6% FG, 41.5% 3P, and 91.4% FT.
📸 @chrisphoto15
🎨 @morganreeder pic.twitter.com/7eTGPpbmC5
August Slump
Mystics began the month of August winning games against the Seattle Storm and Las Vegas Aces. Their next game against Chicago, where Delle Donne would sit out for rest, would result in a 93-83 loss. Most recently, Washington would fall to the Los Angeles Sparks 79-76 and the team would shoot only 38.5 percent from the field. A typical loss for the Mystics where poor shooting led to their demise.
Remaining Schedule: The Mystics have two games left in the final week of the regular season—a home-and-away series against the Indiana Fever. Washington could be playing for home-court advantage in their first-round match-up (likely against Seattle). Does Thibault opt to rest Delle Donne before the playoffs against the league-worst Fever? It could be worth the gamble for the Mystics to be at full strength for their playoff run.
Playoff Outlook
Washington is locked into being either the fourth or fifth seed for the playoffs. Home court advantage could prove worth winning their remaining two games against the Fever. The Mystics are also the only team to sweep the Las Vegas Aces in the regular season. However, their records against the other top teams in the league are not too favorable. Washington was swept by the Sky, 3-0 and put up records of 1-2 against the Connecticut Sun and Seattle Storm. However, if Delle Donne can remain healthy during the playoffs, Washington may be the darkhorse to reach the WNBA Finals.
Follow Beyond Women’s Sports for 2022 WNBA content. Todd Roman is on Twitter too. Follow Todd @TBRBWAY.
