Mystics vs. Aces preview: Washington looks to win second straight game

The Washington Mystics host the Las Vegas Aces on Tuesday evening. Here’s a preview.

Game Info

Where and When - Capital One Arena, Tuesday May 22 at 7 p.m. ET

TV/Streaming - In the D.C. area, tune into Monumental Sports Network (subscription required). Outside of the D.C. area, tune into WNBA League Pass (subscription required).

Injuries: For the Mystics, Tayler Hill is out due to knee rehab. For the Aces, Kayla McBride, and Kelsey Plum are still overseas. McBride and Plum specifically are in Turkey. Isabelle Harrison is also out.

What to look for

Can Krystal Thomas control A’ja Wilson - Wilson, the top pick from this year’s draft will play tonight. Though she scored 14 points in a loss to the Connecticut Sun on Sunday, Wilson also shot 3 of 13 from the field, poor for a center. I expect Wilson to have a better showing on Tuesday now that the first game jitters are gone, but Thomas must be ready to give Wilson a tough challenge.

Will Natasha Cloud get out of a shooting slump? Cloud 1 of 4 from the field in Sunday’s win over Indiana, Though she looked good in almost any other category from passing to defending and rebounding, Cloud is still struggling with making shots. Since Cloud has the backup point guard minutes, it’s important that she be able to make shots consistently or her time is going to decline at some point.

Will the Mystics take advantage of the Aces’ backcourt absences? With Plum and McBride still in Turkey because of the KBSL Finals, Washington has an opportunity to get a win over a team that’s still far from full strength. Hopefully, Kristi Toliver can continue her hot streak from three so the Mystics can put this game away early. Washington should win this game comfortably.