washingtonpost.com - Mystics

After a Month Off, It's Same Old Mystics

Katie Carrera — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Jia Perkins scores 20 of her 28 points in the second half as the Sky beat the Mystics, 79-75, on Friday night at Verizon Center.

Losing Record but a Winning Gate

Katie Carrera — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Winning isn't everything for fans, as the Mystics are averaging the WNBA's fouth-largest crowds in 2008, despite having only two winning seasons in their 11-year history.

Mystics Leadership Promises Changes

Katie Carrera — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EDT

A week after the Mystics traded their second leading scorer as part of a rebuilding effort, President Sheila Johnson says the deal is the first move in a new era of accountability for the team.

For Mystics' Vaughn, Graduation Day Is Better Late

Katie Carrera — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Mystics' rookie Krystal Vaughn escaped a childhood that forced her to learn to duck and run from drive-by shootings in East Baltimore to not only graduate from college but make it to the WNBA.

McWilliams-Franklin Traded to Shock

Katie Carrera — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EDT

In a surprising move, the Mystics trade veteran forward and second-leading scorer Taj McWilliams-Franklin to the Shock for two players and a draft pick.

After Trade, Mystics Make Adjustments

Zach Berman — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EDT

A dramatic late season trade shakes up the Mystics' roster, and the team has to adapy quickly to stay in playoff contention despite their 10-16 record.

Even With New Coach, Mystics Make Old Mistakes

Katie Carrera — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT

The progress the Mystics seemed to make with new coach Jessie Kenlaw come to a grinding halt in the second quarter of an ugly 82-60 loss to Connecticut on Sunday.

Month Off Aside, Mystics Are Running Out of Time

Katie Carrera — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT

The Mystics are only 1 1/2 games behind fourth-place Indiana for the final playoff spot in the East, but they may be running out of time with a month-long Olympic hiatus which starts after Sunday's games.

Mystics Edge Atlanta for 2nd Win in 3 Games

Post — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Taj McWilliams-Franklin scored 13 points and pulled down 11 rebounds in the Washington Mystics' 81-75 victory over the Dream last night in Atlanta.

Mystics at Dream

Post — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT

When: 7:30 p.m. Where: Philips Arena, Atlanta. Records: Mystics 9-15, Dream 3-22.

WNBA Brawl Grabs Mystics' Attention

Katie Carrera — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Tiffany Jackson came off the bench to score a team-high 14 points as the New York Liberty beat the Washington Mystics 80-73 on Wednesday.

Mystics' Beard Waiting for the Shots to Fall

Katie Carrera — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT

The only time Washington Mystics star guard Alana Beard remembers having a slump like this was during her rookie season. Back then she was adjusting to the WNBA's faster pace and better players.

With New Coach, Mystics Turn It Around

Katie Carrera — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Maybe it was the coaching change. Maybe it was the embarrassment they felt after their two worst losses of the season. Maybe it was both. But yesterday afternoon and for the first time this season, the Washington Mystics played like a quality team. Not just for one quarter, or even one half, but for...

Mystics Fire Rollins, Make Kenlaw Interim Coach

Katie Carrera — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT

The Mystics fire Tree Rollins as coach and promote assistant Jessie Kenlaw to the position on an interim basis.

Mystics Routed at Home by Nolan and Detroit

Katie Carrera — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Deanna Nolan scores 21 of her 26 points in the first half and leads five players in double figures as Detroit cruises to a 99-62 win over the Mystics on Friday night.

Liberty Topples Mystics

Post — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Ashley Battle scored 15 points and Janel McCarville had 12 to help the New York Liberty cruise to a 77-56 victory last night over the Washington Mystics in New York.

WNBA Mystics at Liberty

Post — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT

For the past two seasons, the fight for the final playoff berth in the Eastern Conference has come down to Washington and New York.

Mystics Don't Quite Let It All Get Away From Them

Katie Carrera — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT

This was far from familiar territory for the Washington Mystics. After a season full of late-game comebacks, they were the ones protecting a lead as the game wound down yesterday afternoon. They were the ones who had controlled the tempo since they took the lead in the first quarter, and it was the...

Mystics' Langhorne Looks to Adjust the Way She Thinks

Katie Carrera — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Crystal Langhorne wants to stop thinking. Or, perhaps more accurately, overthinking.

Mystics Fall Behind Early in Loss

Post — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., July 11 Katie Smith scored 23 points and Cheryl Ford added 14 in the Detroit Shock's 79-66 victory over the Washington Mystics on Friday night.

Mystics Looking to Snap Shock's Streak

Post — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT

When: 7:30 p.m. Where: The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Mich.

An Ugly Game, But Mystics Win

Katie Carrera — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Alana Beard couldn't take it anymore. Her team didn't seem to care that it had just played its worst half of basketball this season, one of the worst halves in team history. Crying, the Washington Mystics' star guard pleaded with her teammates. She yelled at them: play or leave.

Before the Season Stops, Mystics Try to Get Started

Katie Carrera — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Amidst persistent losses, it's becoming increasingly clear that the Mystics are running out of time to keep foundering playoff hopes alive.

Singing the Defensive Blues

Katie Carrera — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT

The Mystics can't seem to get it right as a lack of defensive communication and execution results in a loss to Becky Hammon and the San Antonio Silver Stars.

Mystics' Sanford Looks to Shake Funk

Katie Carrera — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Nakia Sanford's plans to make the WNBA all-star ballot after a breakout season in 2007 have fallen apart with inconsistent play and constant foul trouble.

Mystics Lose 8th Straight vs. Monarchs

Post — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT

SACRAMENTO, July 1 -- Ticha Penicheiro scored 17 points and had eight assists Tuesday night, helping the Sacramento Monarchs hold off the Washington Mystics for a 87-81 victory.

Bird Scores 14 as Storm Beat Mystics

AP — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 23:40:54 EDT

Sue Bird has 14 points and seven assists to lead a balanced attack as the Storm beat the Mystics, 64-49, on Sunday night.

Mystics Fight Back and Fight Off Sparks

AP — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 03:26:01 EDT

Monique Currie scores 24 points and provides the only scoring in overtime as the Mystics get a big 77-74 win over Los Angeles for Washington's fourth win in five games.

Washington Mystics at Los Angeles Sparks

Post — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Records: Washington 5-8, Sparks 10-3. Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles.

For the Mystics, It Turns in a Hurry

Andrew Astleford — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Early in the second half, Coach Tree Rollins pleaded with them. He called a timeout. He hunched his towering, 7-foot-1 frame toward his panting players, his forehead glistening with sweat as his voice burned with urgency.

Mystics' Blue Makes Point By Being Calm

Mark Viera — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

The Mystics have gone 3-0 since Nikki Blue returned to the starting lineup from an ankle injury June 13, bringing a calming order to the team's rotation.

Mystics Overturn Turnover Trouble in Win

Kathy Orton — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Alana Beard scored all of her 18 points in the second half, saving the Mystics from a sloppy game and leading them to their longest win streak of the season.

Currie's Proud Father Makes Sure He's Always There for His Daughter

Steve Yanda — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

The shiny Final Four ring Michael Currie wears on his right pinkie finger isn't his. Good luck convincing him of that. The glistening silver watch on his left wrist isn't really his either, but that doesn't stop him from taking credit for it.

Late 10-0 Run Propels Mystics to a Road Win

Post — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Alana Beard scored 23 points and Washington rallied for a 67-63 victory over host Houston last night.

Mystics' First Road Win of Year Snaps Five-Game Skid

Post — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Alana Beard scored 13 of her 22 points in the fourth quarter, and the Washington Mystics snapped a five-game losing streak with a win over host Chicago.

Mystics Travel to Chicago to Face the Sky

Post — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

In her first game back since suffering a high-ankle sprain, Nikke Blue showed no hesitation and the Mystics hope to see more of the same Thursday night in Chicago.

Mystics Plagued by Turnovers

Katie Carrera — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

The situation unfolded the way it had so many times before. Somewhere between the first and second quarters, the Washington Mystics went from a solid basketball team to a group that looked as if it had never played together.

Mystics Lament Costly Quarters

Katie Carrera — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

These days the only thing consistent about the Washington Mystics is the frequency of discussions centered on consistency: how to establish it, how to sustain it and, eventually, how to process it into wins.

Jones' 16 Points Leads Sun Past Mystics

AP — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 18:23:41 EDT

Monique Currie scored a career-high 28 points to lead a spirited Mystics rally to pull within eight in the fourth quarter, but it's not enough in an 87-79 loss to the Sun on Sunday.

Minus Star, San Antonio Tops Mystics

Post — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Becky Hammon's 20 points lead the San Antonio Silver Stars to a 63-52 win over the visiting Washington Mystics on Friday night.

Mystics Fall Despite Beard's 33 Points

Post — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Diana Taurasi scores 29 points and Cappie Pondexter adds 23 to lead the Mercury past the Mystics, 98-93, despite 33 points from Mystics star Alana Beard.

Mystics a Little Short on Spark

Katie Carrera — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Prior to the season, WNBA coaches dubbed the all-star-rich Los Angeles Sparks the team to beat. In the middle of the fourth quarter yesterday at Verizon Center, the Washington Mystics appeared ready to do just that, after center Nakia Sanford's putback gave the Mystics their first lead since the...

After Dazzling Debut, Parker Sparks New Interest in WNBA

Katie Carrera — Sat, 31 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Mystics officials say Sparks rookie superstar Candace Parker is a big reason they expect a crowd of 10,000 when the Mystics play Los Angeles Saturday.

Mystics Muscle Up for a Victory

Katie Carrera — Wed, 28 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Alana Beard scores seven of the Mystics' final nine points to help them hang on for an 80-74 win over the Atlanta Dream at Verizon center that improves their record to 2-2.