Charles was her most efficient in the first quarter, leading all scorers with 9 points on 4-of-7 shooting which accounted for 61.5% of the Sun’s points in that first frame. But she struggled to score the basketball with efficiency in the final three quarters. While Charles is adept at creating her own offense with a slew of different hook shots, turnaround jumpers, floaters and fadeaways, she was hesitant facilitating with her only assist going to Jacy Sheldon in the left corner pocket for a wide open three with 1:28 left in the third quarter once the game was completely out of reach for the Sun. With Olivia Nelson- Ododa (left ankle) out for the Sun, Connecticut’s post scoring is limited.

Sykes scored her season high on Sunday and continued to be on a tear getting to the free throw line. On Sunday she made 14 free throws, the most she’s made in a game so far this season. Sykes leads the entire WNBA in free throw makes, free throw attempts per game and has the highest percentage of points coming from the line (40.1). Sykes made her greatest impact in third quarter, responsible for 75% of the Mystics total third quarter points via both own scoring and facilitating. While Sykes’ performance fueled the Mystics, she continues to struggle hitting mid-range shots, not the most efficient looks in the course of a game.

While Bueckers did clear concussion protocols, an illness will delay her return by at least one game. That means Maddy Siegrist will continue to start, with DiJonai Carrington and Arike Ogunbowale taking on more playmaking responsibilities.

Diggins got off to a slow start while Gabby Williams was hot during the first half of Saturday’s contest. The veteran guard made just one of her eight shot attempts before halftime, but the Storm still took a three-point lead into the break. Diggins got going in the second half, and her explosion was the primary reason why Seattle pulled away for the 89-77 victory. She scored 22 points on 7-of-10 shooting, and the veteran guard also finished with solid numbers in the assists, steals and three-point categories. Diggins was responsible for three turnovers, but that’s an improvement after she recorded 11 in Seattle’s prior two games.

The Fever have struggled to get Boston consistent touches without Caitlin Clark on the floor. That pattern continued on Saturday night, especially in the first quarter when Boston just took one shot, on the game’s opening possession. Indiana did a better job of finding Boston afterwards, which led to double-digit points. What was most impressive from the third-year pro was how well she saw the floor in this one. Her five assists, tied for second most on the Fever, prove how Boston has been able to expand her game as a pro. Boston has averaged the second-most assists (3.8) out of all forwards this season, second only to Alyssa Thomas.

Mitchell, who also chipped in five rebounds, two assists, one steal and one three-pointer, got off to a fast start in the first quarter when she was perfect from the floor. Both Sydney Colson and DeWanna Bonner found her cutting to the basket in addition to creating her own offense on a 21 foot step-back jumper. Mitchell went cold in the second quarter, but hit a three in the left corner pocket, blowed through the Sky defense to score on driving finger roll layup in addition to a trio of three throws in the third. Since the Fever held a 66-27 commanding lead with 46 seconds left in the third quarter, acting head coach Austin Kelly took Mitchell out for the entire of the fourth quarter.

Vandersloot suffered a non-contact injury to her right knee with 5:29 left in the first quarter on a drive to the basket. The 36-year-old guard, who grabbed her knee immediately after collapsing to the floor, was helped off the court by Chicago’s training staff and was unable to put any weight on her right leg. With Vandersloot out for the rest of the game, Chicago will have to rely upon extended minutes from combo guard Hailey Van Lith and shooting guard Rachel Banham, with Ariel Atkins also a possibility to handle the ball in spurts.

After missing three games, Bueckers has cleared the league’s concussion protocols and is on track to play Sunday afternoon. Maddy Siegrist, who has been part of the starting lineup, is the player most impacted by Bueckers’ availability. The rookie returning would also give the Wings much-needed help from a playmaking standpoint, as DiJonai Carrington and Arike Ogunbowale have been inconsistent in that regard.

Mabrey bounced back from her eight-point showing in Connecticut’s 48-point loss to the Liberty with a new season high in points on Friday. The veteran guard had already put forth a solid first half by scoring 15 points on an efficient 6-of-10 shooting before catching fire in the third quarter en route to a 19-point half. The Sun’s two wins on the season each have come on days in which Mabrey set season-highs in points and either flirted with or passed the 30-point mark. Her scoring is vastly important for this Connecticut squad’s success, which should be music to fantasy managers’ ears. Mabrey will have a chance to outdo herself on Sunday against the Mystics.