Shakira Austin returns from a week-long absence for Wednesday’s match-up between the Washington Mystics and Indiana Fever. Aaliayh Edwards, meanwhile, plays in a second consecutive game after missing preseason and the first four games of the regular season with a lower back contusion.
Austin, a 6’5 forward who was drafted third overall in 2022, was one of the Mystics’ best players when healthy last season, but has been injury-riddled so far this season.
She made her season debut in a win over the Connecticut Sun on May 18th, tallying 4 points and 3 rebounds in 7 minutes. Then, she was sidelined after a 10-minute stint on May 21st against the Golden State Valkyries.
Austin averaged 11.8 points and 6.8 rebounds per game last season, but has been limited so far this year.
Edwards, meanwhile, suffered a low back contusion and training camp but made her season debut on May 25th against the Phoenix Mercury, tallying 6 points and 7 rebounds in 15 minutes. Edwards averaged 7.6 points and 5.6 rebounds per game in her rookie season last year after being drafted sixth overall.
Without Aaliyah Edwards and Shakira Austin, the Mystics’ rookies have led the way
The Mystics are 2-3 so far this season, but have largely been without two of their top forwards in Edwards and Austin.
Through five games, they’ve been led by Brittney Sykes (22.2 points, 5 assists per game), Sonia Citron (15.4 points, 2.6 assists), Kiki Iriafen (13.8 points, 11.2 rebounds), and Jade Melbourne (10.8 points, 4 rebounds). Citron and Iriafen, their two first-round selections, have both emerged as early candidates for Rookie of the Year.
