The Washington Mystics (4-8) are taking on the Phoenix Mercury (6-7) Sunday night.

Game Info

When: Sunday, August 23 at 8 p.m. ET

Where: IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida

How to watch: NBC Sports Washington; Fox Sports Arizona; WNBA League Pass, Facebook

Injury Report

Mystics: Natasha Cloud (Personal, Out); LaToya Sanders (Personal, Out); Tina Charles (Medical, Out); Elena Delle Donne (Back, Out); Aerial Powers (Hamstring, Out); Kiara Leslie (Questionable, Ankle); Emma Meeseman (Shoulder, Questionable)

Mercury: Brittney Griner (Personal, Questionable); Yvonne Turner (Knee, Out), Jessica Breland (Medical, Out)

Pregame notes

Will Brittney Griner play?

Right now, it is unknown whether Griner will suit up to play against the Mystics. The 6-9 center missed her first game of the season Friday night against the Minnesota Lynx due to personal reasons. The news came just an hour before the Mercury’s game and it unknown whether it is COVID-19 related.

Not having Griner is a big loss to the Mercury not only a big loss to the Mercury in the backcourt but also on offense. Griner is currently leading her team in points, rebounds, and blocks per game. Although Phoenix was lost to the Lynx Friday night by 10 points without Griner, the Mystics will still have their work cut out for them with Diana Taurasi, Bri Hartley, and Skylar Diggins-Smith. The trio are averaging in double figures right behind Griner. Sunday will be the first time each team plays each other this season. They will meet again this upcoming Friday.

Myisha Hines-Allen, we see you!

Hines-Allen has been given an opportunity to see the floor far more than she has in any season prior and has run with it. In fact, the forward is having the best season of her career. The forward is leading Washington in points scored with 16.7 and rebounds with 8 per game. Last game, which resulted in an overtime loss, Hines-Allen put up a career-high 35 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, and had 3 assists in her 43 minutes on the floor.

Emma Meesseman might not play for a second straight game

Between players sitting out the season, roster changes, and injuries, the Mystics have had to deal with tons of adversity. Just a few days ago, news broke that Aerial Powers might not play the rest of the season with a hamstring injury and now Meesseman is dealing with an injury of her own. Messeman sat out the Mystics’ Friday night game against the wings with a shoulder strain. The Mystics have not announced whether she will play or not. Meesseman is averaging 12.8 points per game and 6.7 rebounds so potentially not having her will be tough for Washington.