Shakira Austin and the Washington Mystics open the second half of the WNBA season tonight against the Connecticut Sun. It's Washington's first game back from the All-Star break, and the Mystics have momentum on their side.
Austin has been the engine behind her team's push for a playoff spot.
Shakira Austin Leads Washington Mystics Offense
The 6-foot-5 center is posting career-best averages of 14.4 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game.
Before the break, she put an exclamation point on the first half run with 25 points in a 100-99 comeback win over the Las Vegas Aces. She sealed it with a go-ahead 3-point play off her own offensive rebound in the final 13 seconds.
Connecticut, on the other hand, enters at 7-20 with a banged up starting five.
Brittney Griner is out with a left knee injury that has limited her to just 16 of 27 games this season. Aaliyah Edwards and Saniyah Rivers are also sidelined with a knee issues, though they might be available for Tuesday's face-off.
Still, Washington will want to start on the front foot. The Sun took the last meeting between the two teams 68-57 on June 26th, splitting the season series so far.
How to Watch WNBA Games Tonight
Tip-off is set for 7:30 PM ET at CareFirst Arena. Fans can watch the game on WNBA League Pass.
