Sky meet road warrior Mystics with final playoff spot up for grabs

Field Level Media|published: Tue 10th September, 17:52 2024

Jul 13, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Sky center Kamilla Cardoso (10) celebrates with guard Lindsay Allen (15) after scoring against the New York Liberty during the first half of a WNBA game at Wintrust Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

The Chicago Sky are doing their best to remain in playoff position without star rookie Angel Reese to help. Meanwhile, some solid road play still has the Washington Mystics in the postseason hunt.

The Sky will aim for a season-high third straight win while keeping the Mystics from a fifth consecutive road victory Wednesday night.

Clinging to the eighth and final spot in the WNBA playoff picture, Chicago (13-22) followed a season-high seven-game losing streak with consecutive wins over Los Angeles and Dallas by a combined 29 points.

Playing their first game since Reese suffered a season-ending wrist injury, the Sky got 28 points from Chennedy Carter (17.5 ppg) and 21 from Isabelle Harrison, while shooting 50 percent and building on a 33-19 first-quarter lead, during Sunday's 92-77 home victory over the Wings.

"This is something we can build on," Sky guard Dana Evans told the Chicago Sun-Times.

"When your number is called, you have to be ready to play, no matter what."

Kamilla Cardoso, Chicago's other standout rookie, had 10 points with 11 rebounds Sunday. She's averaged 14.5 points and 7.8 boards in the last four games for the Sky, who have also scored at least 90 in back-to-back games for the first time in 2024.

The Sky lost two of three meetings with Washington this season and haven't scored more than 81 points in any contest. The Mystics (11-24) are two games behind Chicago, but still trail Atlanta in the standings as well.

Though Washington shot 41.4 percent while falling 78-71 to Minnesota at home Sunday, it enters this contest amid a four-game away winning streak. In each of the last two road games, against Phoenix and Dallas, the Mystics scored 90 points apiece.

The Mystics have also held five of their last seven opponents to fewer than 80 points.

"Chicago is a physical team," Washington's Ariel Atkins said. "Make sure we box out and lock in to their key scorers."

Atkins (14.9 ppg) has totaled 44 points in the last two games against the Sky.

--Field Level Media

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