Game Info

When: Saturday August 1 at 6 p.m. ET

Where: IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida

How to watch: NBC Sports Washington, Monumental Sports Network

Injury Report

Mystics: Natasha Cloud (Personal, Out); LaToya Sanders (Personal, Out); Tina Charles (Medical, Out); Elena Delle Donne (Back, Out); Tianna Hawkins (Questionable, Back)

Sky: Stefanie Dolson (Ankle, Questionable)

Pregame Notes

The Washington Mystics are hoping to take down the Chicago Sky on Saturday. Their momentum is sky high right now and they can’t seem to be stopped. If Washington can come out like they did against the Seattle Storm then the the Sky will be very easy to maintain.

Chicago can get hot from three-point range as you know, but so can the Mystics as you’ve seen last season and this past Thursday in the win over the Storm. Sky’s Diamond DeShields has been on minute restriction as she deals with a slight knee injury, but the key player to watch out for is Azura Stevens who can potentially average a double-double in points and rebounds.

The biggest take for Washington is how everyone contributes in more than just scoring. We’re silently waiting on “Playoff Emma” to make her appearance, but she’s managed to contribute via rebounds and assists, while those like Ariel Atkins, Aerial Powers and Myisha Hines-Allen handle the scoring instead.

Washington will have to play their game and keep pushing forward to being the top team and repeating at the end of the season. The Mystics have always been a well-rounded team thanks to their Head Coach and General Manager Mike Thibault. The values he’s instilled in this team has given them motivation to not doubt themselves and just play the game of basketball knocking down opponents in their path.

Saturday evening won’t be as big a test as previous opponents, but that doesn’t mean Washington should take anyone lightly especially the Sky.