The Washington Mystics and Indiana Fever are both slumping, so one of them will claim a much-needed outcome when they meet Friday night in Indianapolis.<\/p>\n
The Mystics (14-18) have lost five of their last six games, including 88-83 at home to Golden State despite outscoring the Valkyries 31-18 in the fourth quarter on Wednesday night.<\/p>\n
The Fever (18-15) have lost three of their last four games. That includes an 81-80 setback at home to the lowly Dallas Wings on Tuesday night despite Kelsey Mitchell\u2019s 24 points.<\/p>\n
Defensive glitches have defined the Mystics in recent games, and those were glaring when they yielded 15 3-point baskets to the Valkyries.<\/p>\n
But the offense is up to snuff, Washington coach Sydney Johnson said. He\u2019s putting a positive spin on the situation.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is so many other good things that went on,\u201d he said. \u201cThere\u2019s just so many different success stories with this group.\u201d<\/p>\n
Washington forward Shakira Austin missed Wednesday\u2019s game with a sore left leg, but the ailment isn\u2019t expected to cause a long-term absence.<\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone has a bump or bruise,\u201d Johnson said.<\/p>\n
Indiana is looking for crisper execution on offense.<\/p>\n
\u201cI did want us to push in transition with a low clock and limited opportunity,\u201d Fever coach Stephanie White said of an ill-fated final possession against Dallas.<\/p>\n
Mitchell, who missed the game\u2019s final shot on Tuesday, continues to carry an offensive load as she was Indiana\u2019s top scorer in three of the last four games.<\/p>\n
White has been outspoken about officiating, again offering opinions this week. She said Mitchell is held or chucked regularly and \u201cnever gets a call.\u201d<\/p>\n
The coach is also defending center Aliyah Boston.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think Aliyah Boston is the worst officiated post player in the league,\u201d White said. \u201cShe never gets a call. There\u2019s a double standard there.\u201d<\/p>\n
Yet the Fever are expecting to see backcourt pressure from opponents because of injuries. All-Star Caitlin Clark has missed 11 consecutive games because of a right groin injury, and fellow guards Aari McDonald (foot) and Sydney Colson (knee) sustained season-ending injuries.<\/p>\n
Turnovers have been troublesome and there might not be an easy solution in sight.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll our point guards are injured. I think that\u2019s the first thing,\u201d White said. \u201cIt\u2019s tough because point guards are the ones who get you organized. There were times when we weren\u2019t organized.\u201d<\/p>\n
The teams split games in the spring, with the Mystics winning 83-77 at home on May 28 and the Fever avenging that outcome with an 85-76 home victory June 3.<\/p>\n
\u2013Field Level Media<\/p>\n
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