Sika

Koné

Less than two weeks after being waived by the Mystics, Koné has found a new WNBA home. The Dream announced on Friday that they have signed the fourth-year forward to a rest-of-season contract. Koné only appeared in 11 games with the Mystics this season, posting averages of 2.1 points and 1.6 rebounds in 6.7 minutes per game. Atlanta currently owns a 21-12 record and holds the No. 3 spot in the WNBA standings with under one month left in the regular season.

Koné has been away from the Mystics recently, as she helped Mali win a silver medal at the recent FIBA Women’s AfroBasket competition. In Washington, the 6-foot-3 forward only appeared in 11 games this season, averaging 2.1 points and 1.6 rebounds in 6.7 minutes. Due to the Mystics’ crowded frontcourt, Koné was unlikely to get the minutes needed to be a consistent contributor. Once she clears waivers, Koné will be an unrestricted free agent.

Engstler, who did not play in Thursday’s win over the Aces, will miss a second consecutive game as she’s away from the Mystics for personal reasons. While Sika Koné has entered the rotation, she only played seven minutes against Las Vegas. Also, fellow reserves Stefanie Dolson and Aaliyah Edwards played 15 and 12 minutes, respectively, so neither benefited much from the minutes made available by Engstler’s absence.

Koné will be available for the Mystics on Friday night after being previously ruled questionable with a right wrist contusion. Koné has seen limited run for the Mystics in the early goings of the season. She last logged minutes this past Sunday in the Mystics’ 68-62 loss to the Mercury. Wing Emily Engstler and guard Lucy Olsen often jump Koné in the rotation as Koné didn’t play in the Mystics’ 83-77 win over the Fever on Wednesday night.

Edwards made her season debut on Sunday after missing the first four games with a lower back contusion. As expected, the second-year forward was not asked to take on a full workload against the Mercury, but she was effective as a rebounder and the shooting percentages were good. Starting center Stefanie Dolson only played 16 minutes, finishing with two points (1-of-6 FGs), one rebound and one assist, while Sika Koné (four points and five rebounds) logged nine minutes off the bench. As Edwards shakes off the rust, look for her to play starters’ minutes, which would come at the expense of Dolson and Koné.

Edwards is available after missing Washington’s first four games of the season. She led the way in the frontcourt last season, meaning multiple Mystics players will be impacted by her return. Starter Stefanie Dolson may see fewer minutes once Edwards is a full go, and the same can be said for reserves Sika Koné and Emily Engstler. With the Mystics embracing a rebuild, rookie Kiki Iriafen’s playing time should not be significantly impacted.

Austin was injured during the third quarter of Wednesday’s loss to the Valkyries, with the team trainer telling Mystics coach Sydney Johnson that she should not return to the game. Thursday evening, the Mystics announced that Austin has entered the league’s concussion protocol and will miss at least one game. Her absence likely frees up additional opportunities for fellow reserve Sika Koné, who played 14 minutes on Wednesday.

Austin made her season debut on Sunday after sitting out Friday’s win over the Dream with a right leg injury. Unfortunately for the Mystics, the forward/center only played seven minutes before receiving her marching orders with 6:35 remaining in the third quarter. Having already received one technical foul for her role in a first-half altercation with Connecticut’s Marina Mabrey, Austin was hit with a second while sitting on the bench. She finished with four points (2-of-5 FGs) and three rebounds. Sika Koné returns to the rotation with Austin done for the day.

Austin is available after missing Friday’s season-opening win over the Dream with a right leg injury. Her return impacts Stefanie Dolson and Sika Koné the most, as that was Washington’s center rotation in the opener. Koné may take the more significant hit to her playing time of those two.

After sitting out Friday’s win over the Dream, Austin is on track to make her season debut against the Sun. Starting center Stefanie Dolson played 27 minutes against Atlanta, with Sika Koné logging 12 minutes off the bench. Austin’s return will likely impact Kone more than Dolson, unless the Mystics decide to go with a nine-player rotation.