Lucy

Olsen

Sheldon has been ruled out for Washington’s final game of the season, again meaning more playing time for reserves Jade Melbourne and Lucy Olsen. Acquired from the Sun at the August trade deadline, Sheldon only appeared in two games for the Mystics. In 30 combined appearances this season, she averaged 7.5 points, 1.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.9 steals and 1.2 three-pointers in 23.6 minutes. Sheldon shot nearly 40 percent from three this season, making 41.2 percent of her attempts with the Sun.

Sheldon’s absence due to an ankle injury continues, as she has not appeared in a game since August 13. Washington concludes its season on Tuesday against the Liberty, and with no postseason on the horizon, the motivation to play Sheldon may not be there. Lucy Olsen and Jade Melbourne will again pick up additional minutes off the bench.

Sheldon has not appeared in a game since injuring her ankle during an August 13 loss to the Valkyries and is without a timeline for return. Her extended absence has resulted in additional minutes for rookie Lucy Olsen, who played 25 minutes against the Sparks on Sunday. Look for Olsen and Jade Melbourne to continue to pick up extra minutes off the bench.

Sheldon last appeared in a game on August 13, when she was injured during a loss to the Valkyries. With the second-year guard lacking a concrete return timeline and the Mystics officially eliminated from postseason contention, there should be little motivation to rush Sheldon back into action. Lucy Olsen, who played 20 minutes in Saturday’s loss to the Valkyries, is one player whose opportunities have increased with Sheldon unavailable.

For some teams that get eliminated from postseason contention, there tend to be more opportunities for players who have seldom featured throughout the season. That may be the case for Olsen, as Saturday’s loss meant the Mystics cannot qualify for the playoffs. The rookie guard played 19 minutes off the bench against the Valkyries, with the 13 points being the most she’s scored in a game since a July 3 loss to the Lynx (19 points). That isn’t enough to make Olsen a player worth adding to fantasy rosters, but her play will be worth watching with an eye toward the 2026 campaign.

Clark is replacing Jade Melbourne in the starting lineup on Saturday, as the veteran forward makes her first start for Washington since being acquired at the trade deadline. Clark is averaging just over 5.0 points per game in her seven appearances this season with the Mystics. As the team looks to end a two-game losing streak, the veteran will likely be depended on for defense and floor spacing. Meanwhile, Melbourne will join Lucy Olsen, Stefanie Dolson and Emily Engstler on the bench to form a strong Mystics reserve unit.

Thursday’s game will be the fourth game in a row that Sheldon has missed since spraining her right ankle during an August 13 loss to the Valkyries. Without Sheldon unavailable, wing Lucy Olson will continue to get meaningful minutes off the bench. Madison Scott should also earn some minutes off the bench after she played in 10 minutes against the Sparks on Sunday.

Tuesday’s game will be the third Sheldon has missed since spraining her right ankle during an August 13 loss to the Valkyries. Lucy Olsen is available to play more minutes off the bench, and 7-day contract recipient Madison Scott is also available to play rotation minutes.

Austin began the game hitting her first three shots which were running layups and a turnaround jumper that baited Jessica Shepard. But once Alanna Smith began guarding Austin after KiKi Iriafen was off the floor, Austin struggled to make a shot. She didn’t make another shot until mid-way through the second quarter when Smith did all she could to defend Austin’s eurostep. But then once Iriafen was back on the floor, Austin began making shots again with Shepard as her primary defender. She hit two straight shots in the third quarter before she went cold in the fourth quarter and missed her last six shots. Besides Austin’s own scoring, she found Lucy Olsen for two three-pointers in the second quarter.

While the Mystics have been the subject of multiple rumors ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline, few, if any, included Sykes. The veteran guard, who made her first All-Star Game appearance last month, is headed to the Pacific Northwest in a significant move for Seattle. Sykes has averaged 15.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.8 three-pointers per game this season, and her addition gives Seattle a much-needed boost on both ends of the floor. Her arrival may result in Erica Wheeler returning to the bench, which would boost Seattle’s reserves, and rookie Dominique Malonga should continue to play more minutes. Sykes being traded will likely result in more opportunities for Mystics guards Jade Melbourne and Lucy Olsen for the rest of the season.