As the Washington Mystics (3-3) look to bounce back after a tough 80-78 loss to the Minnesota Lynx (1-6) on Saturday, the ladies are daily working on their communication, getting to know each other better and overall the chemistry that is going to make them a success.
Things are going to be even tougher for the ladies as they are going on the road to take on the Seattle Storm (1-4) in WNBA action on June 9.
Even though the Storm themselves haven’t had the results they wanted on the court they are still are playing a great brand of basketball. Thus far Seattle is seeing stellar performances by Jewell Loyd along with rookie sensation Jordan Horston playing well on the court.
As the Mystics approach their upcoming road trip Coach Eric Thibault and the squad had themselves a practice that they weren’t entirely happy with, but one that they feel can be a learning lesson.
“Today wasn’t the best, it was a little bit rough today. We sort of scaled back for a couple of folks, and I don’t know if that derailed our focus a little bit.”
With every moment one where the team can learn and develop, hopefully the ladies can reflect on what they are able to do and translate that into positive results going up against what is going to be a tough test.
On going up against the Storm, Coach Eric had this to say, “To me they look like a lot of the hallmarks of the Seattle team in terms of their spacing and the way they try to run the ball. They are also good in transition Noelle is a really good Coach and they are doing smart things.
Hoping to make more of an impact on the Mystics 2023 season is Shatori Walker-Kimbrough, as she is contributing positive moments and plays. The guard who has a 10.0 three-point percentage.
To see more of what Coach Eric, Walker-Kimbrough and Delle Donne had to say fans are encouraged to check out the video below. Compliments of the Washington Mystics:
Walker-Kimbrough shared some thoughts with the Washington D.C. media after the team’s training session on Wednesday had this to say, “We are taking things one game at a time. Seattle is a great team despite what their record shows and they play well at home, their crowd is great, their arena is great, we cannot take them lightly at all.”
One of the things that Walker-Kimbrough feels is going to be the key for success is how the team interacts with the other, as communication is going to be key for the team getting back to their winning ways, “Just the communication and building that communication off the court will help tremendously and just understanding the thought process and how people look at the game.”
Trying to get the team fired up after the practice session and the team’s loss against the Lynx is Elena Delle Donne, as thus far the Forward has 19.8 points, 7.0 rebounds (which is tied for sixth in the WNBA), 2.8 assist (tied for fifth) and 0.8 steals (tied for sixth).
Delle Donne, who has also won the team’s Hard Hat Player of the game award reflected on her role as a leader thus far and trying to inspire her teammates, “As a leader I am trying to read each person and see what is going on . I don’t want to just assume that someone is being lazy or if someone is having a bad day. I want to figure it out and ask, or if they are confused -lets clear it up.”
The forward is excited for the upcoming trip to Seattle and shared these thoughts on going up against the Storm, “It is going to be a fight-they got a few new faces -they play hard all the time. They are going to have the effort. Then you got a player like Jewel who is playing well, and she is such a good scorer, but she also sets up her teammates very well. Then you add in the crowd, they got such a fun place to play -it is going to be a dog fight.”
The hope is that the ladies can rest and reflect and refocus as they are days away from their road trip and what is going to be an energetic crowd on the West Coast.
The Washington Mystics and Seattle Storm game to be played on June 9 is scheduled for 10:00 p.m. with fans wanting to catch the action can do so on the ION Network.
For more information on the Washington Mystics fans are encouraged to click on the link seen here: