With a rocking crowd at the Entertainment and Sports Arena the Washington Mystics started off the 2022 Season with a bang in their 84-70 victory over the Indiana Fever.
The Mystics have now defeated the Fever a franchise-best eight straight games at home spanning from 6/11/17 to 5/6/22. In addition the team has now won three-consecutive games against the Fever.
Washington has been able to defend their home floor very well, as they have now won their home opener five times over the past six years.
The Mystics showed all aspects of a team that is going to have a great 2022 season, with some impressive passing, some stellar defensive play and some sweet shot selections. The ladies connected on 18-of-20 free throws (.900) tonight, their highest free throw percentage in a game with 20+ attempts since August 17, 2021 vs. Las Vegas.
Returning to the floor for the Mystics was Elena Delle Donne, who scored a game-high 21 points (8-of-16 FG), adding nine rebounds and three assists to her stat line.
Delle Donne, who has been recuperating from injuries made her first start in a Mystics home opener since May 20, 2018 vs. IND. The forward impressed during the course of the game with a thunderous block.
1495 Sports is proud to bring the following Washington Mystics Post Game Press Conference featuring General Manager and Head Coach Mike Thibault along with Elena Delle Donne and Natasha Cloud:
Another impressive performance for the Mystics was that of the play of Natasha Cloud who had an ankle-breaking dribble. Cloud, who wants to make her legacy known in the W this season, started that off with a six assist performance.
Cloud, who has been one of the leaders of the Mystics, has been averaging recorded 5+ assists in five consecutive games dating back to last season.
The team as a whole impressed, as General Manager and Head Coach Mike Thibault showed quite a few offensive schemes, even one that included new Japanese-star Rui Machida who impressed with some beautiful passing, her speed and was even able to score as well.
Also the team saw some huge minutes from Shakira Austin, who is expected to make an impact with the team during the 2022 Season. Austin, who is the 3rd Overall pick for the team.
The Mystics who are going to be spacing out Delle Donne, who is planning on how to have herself healthy for the whole WNBA Season, will be reliant on players like Austin along with Myisha Hines-Allen and others to step-up and help the team.
The 2022 Season is now underway for the Washington Mystics, who will now go on the road to take on the Minnesota Lynx on Sunday, May 8. The game between the Mystics and Lynx will air on the ESPN 2 Network and is set for 8:00 p.m.
For more information on the Washington Mystics fans are encouraged to click on the link seen here: