Today’s WNBA Viewer’s Guide: The Connecticut Sun Takes on the Speedy Washington Mystics

Friday night saw a WNBA slate that was topped by a showdown between the Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky. Ten teams were in action, with the Aces, Liberty, Wings and Fever all coming out on top.

There will be just one WNBA game on Saturday: a noon clash between the Connecticut Sun and the Washington Mystics. The Sun currently hold a one-game lead for the #2 seed over the Minnesota Lynx and will be looking to hold off Minnesota, the hottest team in the WNB since the Olympic break.

The Connecticut Sun (22-8) will play the Washington Mystics (9-22) at 3:00 p.m. ET.

The Mystics are on the rise, having won three straight games for the first time this season. Ariel Atkins is leading the snake, averaging 15.3 points this season. Brittney Sykes has been effective since returning from injury — she’s averaging 13.1 points per game — and Stefanie Dolson has continued to make an impact amid her historically effective three-point shooting season. Dolson has shot 47.6 percent from downtown and averaged 10.3 points per game.

Sykes scored 28 points as the Mystics defeated the Los Angeles Sparks on Friday, followed by 20 points in the decisive win over the Seattle Storm on Monday.

“My teammates have complete confidence in me that I will make the right move, whether it’s passing the ball when needed or scoring the ball,” Sykes said after that win.

The Mystics had lost several decisive games earlier in the season, but recorded a third straight narrow victory on Wednesday with a 74-70 win over the Sky.

Meanwhile, the Sun have been consistent defensively this season, but their offense has stuttered at times. Connecticut is led by DeWanna Bonner (16.1 points per game), Marina Mabrey (14.7 points) and DiJonai Carrington (12.8 points). The Sun posted their biggest win of the season when they defeated the Liberty last Friday, but followed that up with a narrow loss to the Fever. They’ll look to get back on track Saturday.

The Sun are 3-0 against the Mystics this season, with the latest win coming in overtime.

How to watch today’s WNBA game

The game between the Sun and the Mystics can be seen on both teams’ local broadcasts and on WNBA League Pass.