By Ivan Carter
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, May 27, 2005

Washington Mystics guard Alana Beard missed her third straight game with an ankle injury. Beard, who also missed both preseason games with a hamstring injury, is hopeful that the ankle will be improved enough for her to play Wednesday, when the Mystics host the New York Liberty.

Beard, who became Washington's leading returning scorer after Chamique Holdsclaw was traded to Los Angeles in March, has been able to go through shooting drills but the ankle is still not strong enough to withstand sharp cutting and other movements at game speed.

With Beard out, rookie Temeka Johnson made her third straight start at point guard last night against the Sparks. Mystics Coach Richie Adubato also made a lineup adjustment by starting DeLisha Milton-Jones for the first time.

"My hope is that with a few more days rest she'll be ready to go," Adubato said of Beard. "But those kinds of injuries can be tricky."

Adubato said that the new Chicago WNBA franchise, which will begin play next season, made a good move in hiring former NBA star and coach Dave Cowens as coach and general manager.

"I think it's good for the league," said Adubato, who is in his sixth season as a WNBA coach after 19 years in the NBA. "Anytime you hire a person from the NBA, a top 50 player, it helps bring people to the games." . . .

New Mystics co-owner Sheila Johnson was introduced to the crowd before the game and then watched from a courtside seat. Johnson became a part owner after joining an ownership group that bought the team from Abe Pollin.