The Mystics take on the Sparks on Friday night. Here is a preview.

Game Info

When: Friday June 15 at 7 p.m. EST

Where: Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.

How to watch: NBC Sports Washington (local TV) | WNBA League Pass (worldwide streaming)

Injuries

Mystics: Tayler Hill (Knee, Out), Ariel Atkins (Wrist, Questionable)

Sparks: None.

Things to Look Out For

Krystal Thomas or LaToya Sanders vs Candace Parker or Nneka Ogwumike

A big change was made by Washington (6-4) in their previous game against the Connecticut Sun as LaToya Sanders started over Krystal Thomas. Thomas didn’t play at all. The Sparks (6-2) have two bigs who dominate the paint and outside very well in Candace Parker and Nneka Ogwumike. Both lead Los Angeles in scoring averages: Parker (15.4 ppg) and Ogwumike (17.4 ppg).

Thomas hasn’t been playing her best basketball this season and it has shown. Sanders who was out for a few games with an undisclosed illness has been getting some valuable minutes especially on Wednesday night starting. She finished with seven points, six rebounds, and three steals in 28 minutes.

The big question is who will start at the center position, while Elena Delle Donne takes control of the forward spot at the four. Sanders has shown the most improvement over time and should keep the starting role to set the tone against the Sparks.

What type of team are the Mystics?

After Wednesday night, that’s an answer we shall be waiting on. Washington was at one point leading by 30 over the league leading Sun and lost with just a Thanos snap. Luckily Delle Donne and Kristi Toliver kept it going to seal the win. The Mystics were known as a second half team, but after that game who are they? Losing leads of such caliber can be detrimental to their season in the long run since we’re almost a month in. It’s time to figure out the placements of each player and find that third-wing player with shooting ability who can get you double figures and also rebounds when it comes to playing Los Angeles.