After the Mystics’ five-point loss to the Minnesota Lynx last Wednesday, head coach Eric Thibault and point guard Natasha Cloud were fined by the league for criticizing the officials for the free throw disparity between the two teams. The Lynx shot 23 total free throws to the Mystics’ four.
The frustrations certainly are valid. The Mystics have been free-falling as of late, losing seven of their last 10 games. There isn’t a team in the W currently dealing with as many injuries to key players as the Mystics. Since the double-overtime loss to the New York Liberty on June 25, the Mystics have lost Shakira Austin, Elena Delle Donne, Ariel Atkins and Queen Egbo to injuries. That’s three starters and, in Egbo, one of their most impactful reserves, who they just traded for on July 4.
With the alarming amount of injuries, a few revelations have emerged — both good and bad— that could be an indicator of what to expect from the team moving forward.
The Brittney Sykes agenda
Plenty of positive things have been said about Brittney Sykes of late, but it is still not enough.
Her impact on the team on both ends of the floor has made her — by far — the best player on the team this season. On/off numbers don’t tell the entire story, especially in small samples, but this…
