On Tuesday night, the Minnesota Lynx (12-1) will take on the Washington Mystics (6-8) at CareFirst Arena in Washington, D.C., in what promises to be an electrifying WNBA showdown. The game tips off at 8 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on MNMT and FDSN, with streaming available on Fubo. This matchup pits the league-leading Lynx, who have been dominant all season long, against a Mystics team eager to climb the standings and solidify their playoff position.
The Lynx enter this contest riding a wave of momentum, having won three consecutive games, including a commanding 82-66 victory over the Los Angeles Sparks on June 21. Although star forward Napheesa Collier was sidelined with a back issue in that game, Kayla McBride stepped up spectacularly, pouring in 29 points to lead Minnesota. Collier, who leads the entire WNBA with an impressive 24.4 points per game and averages 8.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists, is currently listed as questionable due to her back injury but remains a critical figure for the Lynx’s offensive and defensive schemes.
Minnesota’s offensive firepower is formidable, averaging 84.8 points per game, which is 3.7 points more than the 81.1 points the Mystics allow on defense. The Lynx have an 8-1 record in games where they score more than 81.1 points, underscoring their ability to capitalize on high-scoring performances. Their three-point shooting has been particularly sharp lately, with the team sinking an average of 9.8 threes per game over their last 10 outings, slightly above their season average of 9.5, and boasting a 38.1% shooting percentage from beyond the arc.
Defensively, Minnesota has tightened up as well, allowing just 72.3 points per game in their last 10 contests, which is 1.8 points fewer than their season average. This defensive improvement will be crucial against a Mystics squad that, despite some offensive struggles recently, remains dangerous.
The Washington Mystics, meanwhile, come into the game with a 6-8 record and currently occupy ninth place in the standings, but they are still within striking distance of a playoff spot. The team is coming off an exhilarating overtime win against the Dallas Wings, where rookie Sonia Citron stole the show with career-highs of 27 points and 11 rebounds, including the clutch go-ahead basket late in overtime. Citron has been a bright spot for the Mystics this season, averaging 14.6 points and 4.9 rebounds per game.
Brittney Sykes, the Mystics’ top scorer and seventh in the league with 19.6 points per game, will be a key player to watch. She also contributes 4 rebounds and nearly 5 assists per game, making her a versatile threat. However, Washington has faced challenges offensively in their last 10 games, averaging 78.3 points per contest, down from their season average of 79.5. Their three-point shooting has dipped as well, making 0.9 fewer threes per game and shooting 29.6% from beyond the arc compared to their season average of 33.6%.
Defensively, the Mystics have been a bit stingier lately, giving up 80.9 points per game in their past 10 outings, slightly better than their season average of 81.1. However, their defense will be tested against Minnesota’s potent offense, especially with the Lynx’s ability to stretch the floor with their three-point shooting.
Injuries continue to impact the Mystics, with Georgia Amoore sidelined for the season due to a torn ACL. This absence has put more pressure on the likes of Sykes and Citron to carry the offensive load. Meanwhile, the Lynx are fortunate to have no significant injuries reported besides Collier’s questionable status, giving them a depth advantage.
Historically, the Lynx have dominated this matchup, winning their last five meetings against Washington from May to September 2024. Notably, Minnesota has won three consecutive games against the Mystics by margins of eight points or more, including a decisive 99-83 victory in August 2024. This trend suggests that Minnesota has effectively figured out how to disrupt Washington’s offensive rhythm and capitalize on defensive weaknesses.
The Lynx’s strong road record of 5-1, combined with their sixth-place standing in the Western Conference, further cements their confidence heading into this game. Their offensive rebounding prowess, averaging 7.9 offensive boards per game led by Jessica Shepard’s 2.6, will be a critical factor in maintaining possession and creating second-chance scoring opportunities.
On the other side, the Mystics hold a respectable 4-3 record at home but have been outperformed by an average of 1.6 points, indicating tight contests that could swing either way. Washington’s lower three-point production (5.6 per game compared to Minnesota’s 9.5) and defensive challenges in limiting opponents’ three-point attempts (allowing 8.6 per game) highlight areas they must improve to contend with the Lynx’s sharpshooters.
Fans tuning in can catch all the action live on MNMT, FDSN, and FanDuel Sports Network Midwest Extra - Nebraska, with streaming options available on Fubo. For those unable to watch due to regional restrictions, VPN services like NordVPN offer a reliable workaround to stream the game live.
As the WNBA season progresses, this matchup carries significant implications. The Lynx are looking to maintain their top spot and continue their winning streak, while the Mystics aim to build on their recent overtime triumph and secure a stronger foothold in the playoff race. The clash of Minnesota’s high-powered offense and Washington’s gritty home-court effort sets the stage for a thrilling contest.
With key players like Napheesa Collier and Brittney Sykes likely to influence the flow, and emerging talents like Sonia Citron adding intrigue, the game promises plenty of excitement. The Lynx’s recent dominance and strategic advantages suggest they will control the tempo, but the Mystics’ resilience and home crowd support could make this a closely fought battle.
As the clock ticks down to tip-off, all eyes will be on CareFirst Arena to see if the Mystics can disrupt the Lynx’s winning ways or if Minnesota will further assert their dominance atop the WNBA standings. The stage is set for a compelling encounter that basketball fans won’t want to miss.
