WNBA Preview: Washington Mystics (4-15) vs Los Angeles Sparks (4-14)

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Stefanie Dolson attempts to continue her hot streak when the Washington Mystics visit the Los Angeles Sparks on Tuesday night.

Dolson has scored at least 14 points in each of her past five games, most recently recording a season-best 23 in Washington’s 88-77 home loss to the Las Vegas Aces on Saturday. She also matched her season high of five 3-pointers in the setback and has made four or more in four of the past five games.

Dolson has already set a career high with 44 3-pointers this year. She leads the WNBA in 3-point percentage at 50 percent.

Washington (4-15) has dropped its past two games as it enters a four-game road trip.

The Sparks (4-14) are beginning a stretch in which they play seven of eight games at home after going winless during a seven-game road trip. Five of the losses were by at least 10 points.

Los Angeles received another bad break before its 92-78 loss to the Phoenix Mercury on Friday when it revealed that guard Lexie Brown will be sidelined indefinitely due to Crohn’s disease, an inflammatory bowel disease that causes major issues in the digestive tract.

Brown played just seven minutes against the New York Liberty on June 20 and missed the rematch two days later.

Last season, Brown was limited to just 12 games due to gastrointestinal issues, even undergoing an emergency surgery during the campaign. In November, she was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease.

Before the season, the 29-year-old discussed her challenges at length with Athletes Unlimited.

Brown has averaged 8.1 points in 16 games (eight starts) this season.

The Sparks are also without standout rookie Cameron Brink (averages 7.5 points, 5.3 rebounds) for the season due to an ACL tear in her left knee.

Brown scored a season-high 20 points when the Sparks posted a 70-68 win over the visiting Mystics on May 21.

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WNBA Editor
Profile: A dedicated WNBA analyst with a deep understanding of the league’s tactical evolution, player‑development pathways, and expanding cultural impact. This columnist provides comprehensive coverage that blends advanced metrics, film study, and league‑wide context to highlight the storylines shaping modern professional women’s basketball. Background: With extensive experience covering the WNBA and women’s basketball at multiple levels, the columnist has contributed to national sports outlets and digital platforms, offering perspective on coaching trends, roster construction, and organizational strategy. A background in sports journalism and analytics supports a disciplined approach to evaluating performance, interpreting data, and tracking team progression throughout the season. Signature Coverage Areas: Game previews and matchup analysis Film‑based breakdowns of offensive and defensive systems Player evaluation, draft analysis, and free‑agency movement Team‑building strategy, salary‑cap dynamics, and front‑office trends Historical context, league milestones, and postseason features Style & Approach: The writing emphasizes clarity, accuracy, and accessibility — translating complex schemes and statistical models into insights that resonate with both long‑time WNBA fans and new followers of the league. Each column reflects a commitment to balanced reporting, thoughtful evaluation, and a deep appreciation for the WNBA’s growth, competitiveness, and influence on the broader basketball landscape.