Washington Mystics Clinch Playoff Berth With Gritty Win Against Fever

Josh Zavadil

The 2015 season has been a bit of an up-and-down year for the Washington Mystics. They’ve endured injuries. They’ve powered through losing streaks. They’ve had two of their frontcourt starters named to the 2015 WNBA All-Star team. And now they’re headed back to the WNBA playoffs for a third straight season.

In a game that felt much like a playoff game because of what was at stake, the Mystics used a comeback effort to force overtime and knock off the playoff-bound Indiana Fever on Wednesday night. Now, they set their sights on the postseason.

The Mystics have lost in the Eastern Conference Semifinals in each of the past two seasons, but during a year in which the conference has been wide open from top to bottom, perhaps they can surge to the next round this season. They’ll face either the New York Liberty or the Chicago Sky to open the postseason.

If the regular season is to serve as any indicator, the Mystics may prefer to play the East-leading Liberty. Head coach Mike Thibault’s squad is 2-1 against New York this season and will face the Liberty one more time (Friday, 7:30 p.m.) before the end of the regular season.  Against the Sky, Washington’s fortunes haven’t been as bright.

The Mystics are 1-3 on the season against Elena Delle Donne and company, twice losing to Chicago by only two points. But regardless of who they face, the goal is the same: win and advance.

The Mystics – at 17-15 on the season – have an offense that sits just above the league average (100) in Offensive Rating at 100.2, per Basketball-Reference.com. However, their calling card for much of the season has been their defense. They’re allowing the third-fewest points per game (71.7) and boast the fourth-best defensive rating (97.9). Ivory Latta, Emma Meesseman and Stefanie Dolson have been their most solid contributors all season long, and their continued success will be vital in determining Washington’s postseason fate.

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