Alysha Clark will miss the 2021 WNBA season due to a foot injury

Washington Mystics General Manager and Head Coach Mike Thibault announced Monday afternoon that Alysha Clark will miss the 2021 WNBA season. The forward and defensive specialist suffered a Lisfranc injury of her right foot while playing in Lyon France. Clark, who signed with the team on Feb. 1, will undergo surgery in the coming weeks and is expected to rehab with the team, per a Mystics press release.

Coach Thibault said “there aren’t any simple words to express how badly we feel for Alysha.” He also mentioned how excited the two-time WNBA champion and the nine-year veteran was for her new chapter with the Mystics.

“Obviously, she was a big piece of our off-season planning and will be sorely missed, Coach Thibault added. Throughout her rehab, Alysha will remain an integral part of our leadership group and her mentoring of our younger players will be crucial as we move ahead. We look forward to her coming back healthy and being a factor in our success for several years to come.”

Natasha Cloud, who is in San Antonio training with the women’s USA 3x3 team, called the unfortunate news “a blow to our team for sure” while on a USA Basketball media call shortly after the Mystics’ announcement. Cloud said it was now the team’s job to support Clark through her comeback. “She still gonna be a huge part of this journey this season,” Cloud added.