As she walked gingerly off the practice floor Friday, Washington Mystics forward Crystal Langhorne smiled when told there was some symbolism to the fact that she’ll be playing through a sore back when Washington tries to end its four-game losing streak against Tulsa on Sunday at Verizon Center.
The lone returning starter from last year, Langhorne is carrying a heavier burden than at any other time during her four-year career in Washington, the result of injuries to former all-stars Alana Beard (foot) and Monique Currie (knee) .
Averaging a team-best 17.3 points and 8.3 rebounds through six games, Langhorne has been one of the Mystics’ few reliable pieces during a season that, so far, hasn’t gone according to plan. Washington enters Sunday with a 1-5 record and sits in last place in the WNBA’s Eastern Conference.
“I’m used to playing a lot of minutes and I pride myself as one of the leaders on this team. It’s just kind of what’s expected,” said Langhorne, who was an all-star in 2010 when the Mystics qualified for the playoffs. “Our team has just gone through a lot of change, and people are still learning.”
First-year Coach Trudi Lacey believes the 6-foot-2 Langhorne represents a beacon of hope for a Washington team that has been plagued by a penchant for slow starts, an inconsistent focus on defense and an inability to execute down the stretch of tight games.
Lacey likes to remind her young squad of the story that led Langhorne to the levels of individual success she enjoys today. After a rough rookie season, the former Maryland star remade her game and went on to win the WNBA’s most improved player award in 2009.
“I’ve seen her progression, and it helps our younger players understand that if you continue to work hard and stay positive, then things will happen for you,” Lacey said.
Despite the slow start to the year, Langhorne says the team has remained upbeat. But Lacey knows her team needs a win to reinforce what she’s trying to implement. During Washington’s most recent loss, to Indiana last Tuesday, Lacey thought, “We started to come together.”
“We’re not gonna be discouraged,” Langhorne said. “After we lost a few games, people are still positive. We still believe in what we can do. It’s just gonna take some time.”
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