Mystics Guard to Miss Remainder of 2011 Season

WASHINGTON, D.C. � Washington Mystics General Manager & Head Coach Trudi Lacey announced today that Mystics guard Alana Beard will miss the remainder of the 2011 season due to a left foot injury sustained during training camp. Beard re-aggravated the injury when practicing with the team last week.

�Alana has spent the season tirelessly rehabbing and doing everything possible to come back this season. Unfortunately, the collective decision based on the evaluation of our trainers and doctors is that she continue to rehab, get stronger and prepare for next season,� said Lacey. �Our team will continue to work hard, compete and we look forward to finishing the season on a positive note.�

A four time WNBA All-Star, Beard missed the 2010 season with a left ankle injury. Her career averages include 16.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game.

�I tried my best to join my teammates on the court, but after several consultations with our doctors and trainers the decision that made the most sense was to focus on getting completely healthy for next season,� said Beard. �I am disappointed that I won�t get the chance to compete with my teammates in front of the best fans in the WNBA, but I look forward to returning on the court in 2012.�

The WNBA�s Washington Mystics are owned and operated by Monumental Sports & Entertainment, which is one of the largest integrated sports and entertainment companies in the country with one of the most diverse partnership groups in all of sports. The group also owns and operates the NBA�s Washington Wizards, the NHL�s Washington Capitals and Verizon Center � the premier sports and entertainment venue in Washington, D.C. Monumental Sports & Entertainment also oversees the management of Kettler Capitals Iceplex, the state-of-the-art training facility for the Capitals, and George Mason University's Patriot Center.