UNCASVILLE, Conn. — Two days after Elena Delle Donne and Ariel Atkins were listed as questionable before ultimately playing, Washington Mystics coach Mike Thibault said everyone in his usual rotation is expected to play Game 4 of the WNBA Finals Tuesday.
That’s not to say the Mystics are “fully” healthy, though.
“’100 percent’ is a relative term,” Thibault said. “They’re all gonna play. ’Healthy’ is a relative term at this point.”
Delle Donne is dealing with a minor herniated disk she suffered in Game 2. Atkins also had back spasms between Games 2 and 3.
But the stakes are at an all-time high for the club. The Mystics will win their first WNBA title if they beat the Connecticut Sun in Game 4.
Delle Donne joked that basketball is not an ideal sport to play with a bad back. She is continuing to deal with some pain; she needed to figure out which positions she can sleep in pain-free.
The league MVP missed most of Game 2 with the injury but posted 13 points and six rebounds Sunday in Game 3, which Washington won 94-81. Kristi Toliver carried the Mystics that day with 20 points on 7 of 9 shooting and 10 assists and Emma Meesseman scored 21 off the bench.
Game 4 tips off at 8 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN2.
• Adam Zielonka can be reached at azielonka@washingtontimes.com.
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