Record: 9-15
Playoff Position: 8th seed (tied with Seattle for final Playoffs spot)
Games Remaining: 10

PRECAPS: San Antonio Stars | Connecticut Sun | Dallas Wings | Washington Mystics | Seattle Storm | Phoenix Mercury | Chicago Sky | Indiana Fever | Atlanta Dream | New York Liberty | Minnesota Lynx

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Pre-Break Recap

Through 24 games, Washington is six games under .500, scoring the second-fewest points per game (79.6). That said, the Mystics are still in the playoff hunt despite losing their final seven before the Olympic break. And although their scoring hasn’t been elite, the Mystics have been efficient in racking up points at the charity stripe and behind the three-point line; they rank ahead of the Liberty, Lynx and Sparks in free throws made and attempted, and their 36.2 percent shooting from beyond the arc places them fourth. Losing their final seven before the break certainly wasn’t ideal, but the numbers suggest Washington’s well-suited to return to its 2015 form.

Pre-Break Highlight
Mystics Rout Defending Champs

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Considering Minnesota’s WNBA-best 13-0 made waves across the hoops world, Washington handing the Lynx their second loss (87-63, no less) was all the more impressive. At 9-15, the Mystics’ numbers and best victories indicate they’re better than their record. Against Minnesota, that was very much the case.

Emma Meesseman led the way with 20 points, needing only 12 shots. Tayler Hill enjoyed her finest game of the season, helping shut down Maya Moore (5 points). The Mystics forced the Lynx into 38-percent shooting and 14 turnovers.

3 Standouts

Emma Meesseman

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Meesseeman has held the hot hand all season. While averaging a career-best 15.7 points is impressive on its own, shooting a league-leading 55.3% from three-point range shows how well-rounded her offensive skill set has become.

Tayler Hill

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Also averaging a career-high in points (14.7), Hill handed the defending champion Minnesota Lynx an impressive outing, dropping 17 points (6-10 FG, 3-5 3PT), five assists and four steals. The fourth-year guard has scored 15+ points 12 times, giving the Mystics a wing threat they previously lacked.

Stefanie Dolson

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After posting career-bests in scoring (10.6) and rebounding (5.6) last season, Dolson has remained steady. Her 8.0 points rank fourth on the team, and her 4.7 rebounds good for second. As Washington braces for the stretch run, the team could use more performances like Dolson’s against New York prior to the break, when she posted 13 points and six boards against MVP candidate Tina Charles.

Season in Photos

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Post-Break Preview

Washington’s final 10 games are split between the road and the Verizon Center, where the Mystics are just 4-8 this season. Two of those games will come against the defending Eastern Conference champion Indiana Fever, with matchups against East contenders Chicago, New York and Atlanta also on the docket. Circle September 9 and 18 on the Mystics’ calendar: the days they welcome the Storm and Sun, respectively, to D.C. — two teams that could wrestle the eighth and final playoff spot away from them.