Mystics at Sun preview: Washington looks to snap losing streak in Connecticut

The Washington Mystics (10-7) take on the Connecticut Sun (9-7) and the Eastern Conference Player of the month, Jonquel Jones on Saturday night.

Thanks to everyone who voted for Mystics players for the All Star game. Elena Delle Donne was reportedly the top vote getter in the East!

Game Info

Where and When Mohegan Sun Arena, Saturday, July 8, 7 P.M. ET.

Streaming WNBA League Pass, CSNHD, Monumental Network.

The Sun started the season 1-5. But they have since hit their stride going 6-2 in June. Much of that success has come squarely because of Jonquel Jones’ stellar play. She is averaging 15 points and 12 rebounds a contest, and is a lock for the All-Star game.

Meanwhile for the Mystics, Elena Delle Donne is averaging 19 points and 6.6 rebounds.

In their last head to head meeting, the Mystics edged the Sun on May 31, 78-76.

What to look out for

Both teams were not at their best in May. And with Emma Meesseman back with the Mystics for what will be her third game since winning the Bronze with team Belgium in EuroBasket, they are still very much getting to know one another.

Int the Mystics’ two losses on this road trip, there were actually some very nice moments that made me think that they do indeed have the ingredients to put them shoulders above even the best teams over time.

What I like in particular in this reel, is when Meesse gets those passes inside that are especially hard for other teams to defend. In the last basket of the clip, Diana Taurasi literally has her leg wrapped around Meesseman who grabs a perfect bounce pass from EDD and scores, (how is that not a foul, btw), below.

There are a few interesting stats between the two teams.

The Mystics are third in the association in bench points, the Sun are eighth. Ivory Latta is a big part of that for Washington, and really nice to see her back to her 2015 form after knee surgery last year hampered her production.

The Sun are first in paint points where the Mystics are eleventh. I am sure Coach Thibault has noticed this discrepancy.

The Mystics are holding teams to 78.6 points, the Sun are holding teams to 81.3. So the Mystics defense is going to absolutely have to bring it to stop this super hot team.

All five Sun players that average double digit scoring, also average over 20 minutes. The Mystics have three players averaging double digits and minutes.

And finally, Connecticut just edges the Mystics in points per possession, and they are third in the association in Pace, so we know they can score.

This is the game where all the shooting slumps that are plaguing several Mystics players turn the corner. They will need to be firing on all cylinders to snap their two game losing streak.