The Mystics have come a long way from their 0-12 start, winning four of their last five games despite dealing with a number of injuries. So what has this hot streak revealed about the team?
Emily Engstler can play!
In their two games against Dallas last week, Emily Engstler exploded for 23 and 13 points off the bench. I’ve been a fan of Engstler since her time at Syracuse.
Her versatility on both ends of the court has been a revelation for the Mystics, as well as her outside shooting; she’s 6-of-8 from three in her last two games. Engstler has shown that she can be a reliable scorer and a tenacious defender. Her energy and hustle have been infectious, but it’s her versatility and quickness on that end that has made her such a bright spot for the Mystics during this stretch.
Ariel Atkins’ hot streak
Ariel Atkins has stepped up as a leader in the absence of some key players. After struggling to start the season, her scoring was very instrumental in the Mystics’ recent games against the Atlanta Dream, Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky.
In their victory over Chicago, Atkins scored 29 points and added three assists. From June 11 to 19, Atkins averaged 24.7 points and 3.3 assists while shooting 63 percent from the field, 44 percent from 3 and 85 percent from the free throw line. If Atkins can find this groove consistently during this next stretch, it will be huge for a Washington team that is facing a gauntlet of opponents.
Stifling team defense
The Mystics’ team defense has been instrumental in their recent success. They have posted a 99.6 defensive rating during this five-game stretch, which is almost four points better than their regular season average. Their ability to switch on defense and communicate effectively has disrupted opposing offenses. It helps that they’ve played against some offensively inept rosters, allowing them to overhelp off poor shooters.
In their two wins against the Dallas Wings, the Mystics held Arike Ogunbowale to six points on 3-of-11 shooting and 23 points on 9-of-21 shooting. Ogunbowale has been tasked with creating the most offense in the league so a lot of her shots are extremely difficult, but Washington deserves a lot of credit for keeping her out of rhythm The same goes for Atlanta’s Rhyne Howard, who they held to 16 points on 5-of-8 shooting. Washington has been particularly effective in applying pressure and forcing turnovers.
Overcoming adversity
The Mystics’ ability to overcome adversity has been a testament to their character and determination. Despite dealing with numerous injuries, the team has found ways to win. Aaliyah Edwards missed multiple games in this stretch and recently, Washington lost Karlie Samuelson with a hand fracture.
With four wins in their last five games, the Mystics have built momentum and confidence. As they continue to get healthier and integrate returning players, the team will be tested on Thursday against the Connecticut Sun (7 p.m. ET, League Pass) and Saturday against the Las Vegas Aces (2 p.m. ET, League Pass), two teams poised to compete for a title. The recent performances have shown that the Mystics have more talent than just their rookie duo of Edwards and Julie Vanloo who could be a part of their long-term future.