The Washington Mystics and Chicago Sky have dealt with their fair share of anguish this season.
One of these teams will receive a reward when they meet Wednesday night in Chicago.
Both teams are coming off two-point results.
For the Mystics (8-22), it’s a chance to build on a sterling effort. They’re fresh off Monday night’s 74-72 road victory against the Seattle Storm. They’ve won two straight games since a five-game losing streak.
Washington’s Brittney Sykes posted 20 points, including the winning free throws, giving her back-to-back games with at least 20 points for the first time this season.
The Mystics are concerned after Shakira Austin exited late in the Seattle game with an injured left ankle.
“Kira gives her all when she’s on that court,” Sykes said. “So it’s only right that when she stepped off, the next people who came in place (came through).”
The Sky will need to regroup following Sunday’s 77-75 home loss to the Las Vegas Aces despite guard Chennedy Carter’s 25 points.
“We’re young, we’re growing, and these are situations that we can learn from,” Carter said.
Chicago (11-18) has lost three straight games, so it will try to avoid a second four-game skid of the season. The other time came in June.
But the performance against the Aces was a reason for renewed optimism.
“It hurts to see them play so hard and not come out with a victory,” Sky coach Teresa Weatherspoon said. “All season long we played like this. We don’t give in. We don’t give up.”
Sky rookie Angel Reese has a double-digit rebound total in the past 23 games, including a career-high 22 boards on Sunday.
The Sky has received some clutch play from guard Lindsay Allen. Weatherspoon said she likes Allen’s willingness to take charge late in games.
Weatherspoon has provided an upbeat mood since the loss to Vegas. Yet the strides in the right direction were overshadowed by the result.
“When you don’t have that ‘W,’ it still hurts,” Weatherspoon said. “We know we have to be better. We’re in a hunt right now. There’s a huge chase for this playoff position.”
The Sky and Mystics split two meetings in June, with the home team winning both times. Chicago won 79-71 and then Washington gained revenge eight days later with an 83-81 win. Carter posted 25 points in her team’s victory.
Mystics coach Eric Thibault said that Karlie Samuelson, who has been out with a knee injury, is with the team on the trip and is closer to returning to action. She could be a game-day decision for the matchup in Chicago.
–Field Level Media