After a .500 1st half, Mystics look to build momentum in the 2nd half of the season, starting at home versus the Sparks.

Game Info

When: Tuesday, July 22 at 7:30 p.m. ET

Where: CareFirst Arena, Washington, DC

How to Watch: Monumental Sports Network

Injuries

Mystics: Georgia Amoore (Out – Knee), Sika Kone (Out – Suspension)

Sparks: Cameron Brink (Out – Knee)

Pregame notes

What’s been going on for the Mystics

The Mystics are back in action to finish out the second half of what has already been a surprising season. With two rookie All-Stars in the fold, the Mystics finished the first half on a roll and look to play a pivotal role in the playoff picture.

Washington ended their pre All-Star Break schedule not on an ideal note, losing to this same Sparks team. Hopefully that changes Tuesday.

What’s been going on with the Sparks

For the Sparks, it has been a struggle. They are still waiting for the return of star center Cameron Brink to pair with All-Star Kelsey Plum. Their team is rebuilding in a similar way that the Mystics are, but admittedly with more “brand name” star power given Plum’s past with the Las Vegas Aces and Brink’s star power.

LA won two straight games heading into the All-Star Game. They obviously want to keep the momentum

Julie Vanloo is with her second WNBA team and will physically return to D.C. for the first time

Mystics fans will also see a familiar face in Julie Vanloo, who now plays for LA. This is the sophomore (at least in WNBA years) guard’s first time coming back to Capital One Arena after a successful 2024 season in Washington.

Vanloo left the Mystics because was drafted by the Golden State Valkyries last winter. Then was suspended because she was playing for Belgium under former Mystics General Manager and Head Coach Mike Thibault in Women’s EuroBasket. There, the Cats won the Gold Medal. Then when Vanloo returned to San Francisco instead of celebrating in Brussels with the rest of her national team, she was cut by Golden State on arrival. Understandable for basketball reasons, but Vanloo also had to miss the celebration in Brussels. At least she found a new team very quickly and has one of her Belgian teammates as well in guard Julie Allemand.

TL:dr

This should be an interesting game to see if the Mystics can put a foothold on staying in the Top 8 in the standings, beating a team that they should beat if they are indeed continuing their ascension.