The WNBA returns Thursday after a month-long Olympic break that allowed the Washington Mystics to get healthy ahead of a potential playoff push in the regular season’s final month.
The Mystics entered the break at 6-19, tied for the worst record in the league. But they sit just 4 1/2 games back of the final wild-card spot with 15 games remaining. The rejuvenated Mystics say they’re primed for a playoff push, despite their current spot at the bottom of the standings.
“I think we’re in playoff contention,” guard Karlie Samuelson told Monumental Sports Network. “There’s a lot of games left and it’s a whole new season. Teams are gonna be a lot different after the break and we’re going to have a lot of people back too.”
Washington’s optimism for the remainder of the season banks on the return of Samuelson, Shakira Austin and Brittney Sykes. Those three starters haven’t shared the court since May 31 as they battled injuries.
Austin has missed the most time with a hip injury, Sykes has dealt with a recurring ankle issue and Samuelson fractured her hand in June.
But after a month of rest, those three veterans are all expected to return to the court Thursday.
“Incorporating all three of us that have been injured and incorporating our three Olympians … It’s exciting,” Samuelson said. “It’s a whole new season.”
Despite the injuries, coach Eric Thibault’s Mystics started to find their groove before the Olympic break. The squad started the season with a dismal 12-game losing streak before bouncing back. The Mystics went 6-7 over their next 13 games as they worked to climb out of last place.
“I just think that we have brought everything to the table that we said we would. This is what’s going to show for the second half of the season,” forward Emily Engstler said. “Hopefully we can get some more W’s and make the playoffs.”
While some Mystics used the break to get their minds and bodies right, a handful of players competed on the international stage. Jade Melbourne, Julie Vanloo and Aaliyah Edwards spent the past month vying for Olympic glory in Paris with their national teams.
Melbourne, who earned a bronze medal with Australia, was the only Mystic to take some hardware home from Paris. Vanloo’s Belgium squad lost in the bronze medal match while Edwards and the Canadians were eliminated in group play.
“The Olympic experience was unreal, but to come away with a medal is unbelievable,” Melbourne said. “It still hasn’t sunk in. It was the most amazing four weeks.”
The Americans, led by reigning WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson, took home the gold in Paris. But with the Olympics in the rearview mirror, the women’s basketball spotlight will shift back to Caitlin Clark. The Iowa product helped the WNBA set multiple attendance and viewership records in the first three months of her professional career.
After being snubbed by the U.S. Olympic squad, Clark’s break featured a trip to Yankee Stadium and plenty of practice. The rookie superstar said she’s ready to race toward the end of the season.
“I know they call it the second half of the season but really this is only 14 games left to make a difference in your record and make a playoff push for us,” Clark told reporters this week. “That’s the most important part — really, there’s only a month left.”
Clark’s Fever currently hold the seventh of eight playoff spots ahead of Thursday’s restart.
The Fever, along with the rest of the WNBA, are looking up at the top-seeded New York Liberty in the standings. Led by Olympians Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu, the Liberty are the clear title favorites.
The Mystics will likely need help to join the Fever and Liberty in playoff contention.
The Mystics return to action on Thursday night against the Minnesota Lynx. They’ll then host the Lynx in the District on Saturday.
• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.
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