The Washington Mystics take on the Los Angeles Sparks. Our WNBA odds series has our Mystics Sparks prediction, odds, and pick. Find out how to watch Mystics Sparks.
The Washington Mystics are in deep trouble. There's just no other way to say it, one week into their season. They already knew that star player Elena Delle Donne would not play in the 2024 WNBA season, a huge and crushing development for them. Delle Donne is one of the best and most important players in the history of the Mystics franchise. Not having her on the floor dramatically lowered expectations for this group before the season even began.
Then, just a few games into the season, Brittney Sykes got hurt. She missed Sunday's home game against the Seattle Storm. Washington really missed her offense and two-way contributions in an 84-75 loss. This is not a bad team, so much as it is a shorthanded and underequipped team. The roster hits Washington has absorbed would leave any team in an exposed and vulnerable position. Attrition is ripping through this team, and there are no quick or easy coaching solutions for not having enough healthy players on a roster. It's just that simple. Washington is 0-3 and is not in a position where style points matter. Finding any way to win, no matter how ugly, is the order of the day and the urgent demand for this ballclub.
The homestanding Sparks are probably not going to pile on the wins this season, and they are 0-2 in their first two games. However, their start to the season is better than their record would suggest. No. 2 WNBA draft pick Cameron Brink is showing signs of growth. Brink and another top-five draft pick, Rickea Jackson of Tennessee, can use this season to evolve into dependable WNBA players and give Los Angeles a foundation for the future. This past Saturday, the young Sparks pushed the WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces in a tough, compelling game. Los Angeles trailed by only four points late in the fourth quarter before ultimately losing by seven. If the Sparks can play anywhere close to that level on a somewhat consistent basis, they might be able to make a run at a .500 (20-20) record in this 40-game regular season. The Sparks are not going to be a top-four or top-five team in the league, but they could be a middle-of-the-pack team, which would reflect real growth and development. That's not a bad goal for Los Angeles in 2024.
Here are the Mystics-Sparks WNBA Odds, courtesy of FanDuel.
WNBA Odds: Mystics-Sparks Odds
Washington Mystics: +3.5 (-110)
Los Angeles Sparks: -3.5 (-110)
Over: 159 (-110)
Under: 159 (-110)
How to Watch Mystics vs. Sparks
TV: Monumental Sports Network (Mystics) / SportsNet LA (Sparks)
Stream: WNBA League Pass
Time: 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT
*Watch WNBA games LIVE with fuboTV (click for a free trial)*
Why The Mystics Could Cover The Spread
The Mystics are going to be desperate for a win at 0-3. They know they have to do everything they can. Every able-bodied player on the roster has to step up and perform. You're going to see a lot of urgency from this team as it tries to stay afloat instead of sinking to the bottom of the WNBA alongside the winless Indiana Fever. Desperation is the reason to take Washington here.
Why The Sparks Could Cover The Spread
The Sparks played well against the champion Las Vegas Aces on Saturday. They have not played a game since then, while Washington had to play on Sunday afternoon and will be comparatively less rested. The growth of the Sparks is encouraging, while the Mystics are shorthanded. This game really lines up well for L.A.
Final Mystics-Sparks Prediction & Pick
This is going to be a great chance for the Sparks to build on their encouraging performance in Vegas on Saturday. Washington has been shredded by injuries. The Sparks are improving. Take Los Angeles here.
Final Mystics-Sparks Prediction & Pick: Sparks -3.5
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