Emily

Engstler

Washington’s frontcourt depth takes a hit with Dolson unavailable for Tuesday’s game. However, starter Shakira Austin returned to action on Sunday and is not on the Mystics’ injury report. While her playing time may remain somewhat limited, she’ll lead the way at the center position. Emily Engstler can also absorb the minutes that would have gone to Dolson.

The Indiana Fever defense had trouble finding an answer for Citron on Friday night. The Mystics rookie was guarded by at least three different Fever defenders in Lexie Hull, Sophie Cunningham and Natasha Howard. She moved a step quicker than both Cunningham and Howard and she took
advantage of when Hull over helped on drives. Citron she made 60% of her attempted three-pointers mostly coming on the catch. While Hull figured out how to pay attention to Citron’s off-ball movement in the second half, it didn’t matter. With 6:30 left in the fourth quarter Citron hit a circus three-point shot over the outstretched arms of Hull right as the shot clock expired. Friday night was the fourth game in a row where Citron had at least three assists. Against the Fever, Citron found fellow rookie Kiki Iriafen and Emily Engstler moving off the ball on Friday.

Friday’s game will be the third Austin has missed with a left leg injury. While it is not believed to be a long-term issue, the Mystics have not offered a concrete timeline for return. Stefanie Dolson has been the replacement in the starting lineup, but reserve Emily Engstler has been more productive with Austin unavailable.

Engstler’s playing time has increased in recent games, as the Mystics continue without the injured Shakira Austin. After scoring 11 points and recording a complete stat line in Washington’s August 10 win over the Wings, Engstler did not miss a shot on Wednesday. She isn’t at the point where fantasy managers should consider streaming her, but Engstler is worth watching, especially if Austin continues to miss time. Stefanie Dolson made another start on Wednesday, finishing with five points, one rebound, two assists and one three-pointer in 17 minutes.

A late addition to Washington’s injury report, Austin has been downgraded from questionable to out for Sunday’s game. Her absence leaves a sizable hole in the Mystics’ starting lineup, with Stefanie Dolson being the player most likely to step up. Additional minutes will also be available to Emily Engstler after she logged 15 in Friday’s loss to the Lynx.

Austin was a late addition to a relatively clean injury report, with the Mystics adding their starting center on Sunday afternoon. If she’s unable to play, Stefanie Dolson is the likely replacement in the starting lineup, with Emily Engstler also in line to pick up additional minutes.

Sunday’s game was Edwards’s first since July 22, but she did not see much action. The second-year forward did not enter until the fourth quarter and only played three minutes. With Edwards being the subject of trade rumors, it’s fair to question if her minutes will also be limited in Washington’s final game before the trade deadline on Tuesday. Fellow reserve Emily Engstler played 10 minutes on Sunday, finishing with four points, one rebound, one assist and one blocked shot. Those who continue stashing Edwards on their fantasy rosters must root for a trade before Thursday’s deadline.

Edwards is back for the Mystics after missing four games with a sore right wrist. The second-year forward’s return strengthens Washington’s frontcourt but will also mean fewer minutes for fellow forward Emily Engstler. With the WNBA trade deadline falling on Thursday, Edwards will be a player to watch due to the steady production provided by rookie starter Kiki Iriafen.

Iriafen got off to a promising start scoring the basketball, especially in the first half. She hit a bunch of difficult shots including a driving floater that she banked in. Her minutes were limited because she got into early foul trouble, picking up two fouls on Iliana Rupert and then two more in the third quarter while guarding Laeticia Amihere. Emily Engstler closed the game instead of Iriafen for that very reason in addition to the Valkyries deciding to end the game with more size.

After struggling to find the bottom of the net in the first half, Citron scored 10 of her 16 points in the third quarter. She hit two threes in the final two minutes of the quarter to shave the Valkyries’ lead down to single digits. Citron’s two assists came early in the fourth finding both Shakira Austin and Emily Engstler close to the rim for two-point scores to trim the lead down to just 3 points. Once again, Citron flashed her ability as a three-level scorer. In addition to her threes, she hit a 17-foot mid range jumper in addition to scoring off a drive and a rim run.