Can they maintain or improve their playoff position for the rest of the season?

The Washington Mystics play the Los Angeles Sparks on Sunday night. Here is the preview

Game Info

When: Sunday, Sept. 3 at 7:30 p.m. ET

Where: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA

How to Watch: NBC Sports Washington

Injuries

Mystics: Shakira Austin (out, hip), Ariel Atkins (out, nose)

Sparks: Chiney Ogwumike (out, foot), Nia Clouden (out, knee), Lexie Brown (out), Katie Lou Samuelson (out), Layshia Clarendon (day-to-day)

Pregame notes

It has been awhile since the Mystics have had a full roster available to them with a healthy Elena Delle Donne and Shakira Austin in the front court. They had that chance last Friday when they played the Las Vegas Aces, but lost 84-75. This loss wasn’t unexpected. The Mystics are sixth in the WNBA standings while the Aces lead the league.

And I know. The Mystics beat them badly at home a week ago. But it seems more like the type of one-off game where the Aces just weren’t in it that night. Friday’s game seems to be more like what we can expect on a regular basis.

For Sunday’s game, the Mystics won’t have Austin and Atkins, but they should be favored nevertheless.

The Sparks have been injury-ridden like the Mystics, but won’t have their full roster tomorrow night. Their playoff hopes are still there, but LA has lost three in a row. Hopefully the Mystics can take care of business and maintain their position in the WNBA standings. The last thing they need is a No. 7 or No. 8 playoff seed when they will have to face off against the New York Liberty or the Aces.