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Mystics vs. Lynx Preview: Washington looks to blemish Minnesota’s perfect start

By Elle Ward
hill vs lynx Stewart W. Small

The Washington Mystics (6-2) will take on the perfect Minnesota Lynx (7-0) for the first time this season at the Verizon Center on Friday night.

Game Info

Where and When The Verizon Center, June 9. 7:00 P.M. ET.

Streaming WNBA League Pass and CSN.

Who is out?

Elena Delle Donne may be out due to a groin strain she suffered in the Mystics’ last game. Emma Meesseman is in Belgium preparing for EuroBasket Women that starts on June 16.

There are no reported injuries for the Lynx.

What to look out for.

Clearly, if EDD is not available for this very highly anticipated match-up, it changes the landscape and expectations for the Mystics to tarnish the Lynx perfect record.

There is a big reason why Washington is the second best team in the association, below.

If indeed Elena Delle Donne is out for the game, and she is in the conversation for MVP a third of the way through the season. The Mystics are squarely dependent on her.

She brings a ton of points and rebounds, so the fact that the Mystics have the fourth best bench versus the Lynx having the eighth best, may be crucial if Washington has any chance of grabbing the win.

Tayler Hill, Tierra Ruffin-Pratt and Natasha Cloud will also have to have an outstanding game. No missed lay-ups, minimal turnovers, and shooting must be near 40 percent. Of course, that would be helpful in general.

I expect to see Sylvia Fowles get a nice challenge from Tianna Hawkins and Krystal Thomas down low. That tandem has really stood out to me as a very solid foundation for the frontcourt while Meesseman has been over-seas.

Combined, they are bringing 13 points and 11 rebounds a contest. And they are big bodies that are not afraid to bang, which will be essential since the Lynx are second in paint points.

The Lynx and Mystics are both having just about equal success in fast break points, so I hope the Mystics make that a priority. They MUST get out and run against this much older squad.

Finally, the Mystics will see the Lynx again on June 23. If EDD is playing, it will paint a much clearer picture where they stand against one of the stalwart best teams in the association.

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Hopefully, John Wall will be in the house once again!