The Guru’s WNBA Roundup: Olsen Helps Shorthanded Washington Upset Las Vegas; Los Angeles Snaps Four-Game Losing Streak Upsetting Clark-Less Indiana

By Mel Greenberg @womhoopsguru

Just two games played in the WNBA Thursday, but the action became a night of the underdogs, especially Washington (8-8), which may soon switch categories after reaching .500 with the short-handed Mystics’ third-straight win, a stunning 94-83 upset at Las Vegas (7-8) before a crowd of 10,427 at the Michelob ULTRA Arena.

Earlier back in the Midwest where Indiana (7-8) was without Caitlin Clark once more, this time due to a groin injury, and the Fever fell 85-75 to Los Angeles (5-11) before a disappointed crowd of 17,274 in Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the site of this summer’s All-Star game next month on July 19 (8:30 p.m., ABC).

It was another big night for Washington rookie Sonia Citron, who scored 21 points, while Sug Sutton scored 17.

Brittney Sykes, the Mystics’ leading scorer, missed her second straight game with a right lower leg injury. The former Syracuse star had been averaging 19.6 points a game.

Also lost for most of the game from Washington was guard Jade Melbourne, who was gone in the first quarter after inadvertently hit in the face and losing a tooth.

But much of that was made up by rookie Lucy Olsen, the former Villanova and Iowa star who came off the bench playing her most minutes at 37 and scoring 14 points.

“Jade’s a big loss, it’s hard to fill her shoes,” Olsen said. I was just trying to step up and do what I could to help us get this win,” Olsen said. “The coaches helped prepare me for this. My teammates gave me confidence as well. I was just excited that I got in there and helped the team out.”

Shakira Austin double doubled with 13 points and 13 boards while rookie Kiki Iriafen scored 12 with nine rebounds.

Reigning WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson scored 22 for for the Aces, while Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young each scored 13 and Jewell Loyd scored 10.

Washington soared in the third period launching a 9-0 run at the outset to go ahead 62-44 and later increased the differential to 22 points after Sutton’s make from deep.

But the Aces weren’t finish, reeling a 9-0 run at the start of the fourth quarter to move closer at 79-70. It got two points smaller twice before Austin scored on a putback with 1:31 left in regulation.

Citron, Sutton, and Olsen each nailed three from deep as the visitors doubled their average output long-range shooting 10-19.

Washington continues its road swing Saturday visiting Dallas at 8 p.m. while Las Vegas next visits Phoenix Sunday at 6 p.m. on NBA-TV.

Meanwhile, the drama continues with Indiana.

DeWanna Bonner, who had missed five games for personal reasons and who as a free agent followed coach Stephanie White to Indy from Connecticut, had her requested release honored, via waiver, claiming the fit didn’t work.

Indiana immediately re-grabbed former Arizona star Aari McDonald, who was recently a viable contributor on brief hardship deal and had played in the league with Atlanta.

Clark earlier this month returned from missing five games with a quad injury but in recent games her vaulted long-range shooting only produced one make.

Los Angeles arrived in the lower area of the standings but came to life in this one as former Duke and UConn star Azura Stevens scored 23 while Kelsey Plum scored 21 with six assists as the Sparks snapped a four-game losing streak.

The contest was tight most of the night, Los Angeles moving in front 67-66 after an early lead, on Plum’s 3-pointer with 4:13 left in regulation.

Two more foul shots came from the former University of Washington star who had the NCAA scoring record until Clark surpassed it. Plum came from Las Vegas in a trade this winter. The two free-throws completed a 21-8 surge across the two second-half quarters.

The Sparks sealed it in the final minute after scoring twice following offensive rebounds.

Dearica Hamby and Rickea Jackson each scored 14 for the visitors.

Indiana’s Kelsey Mitchell scored 20 while Aliyah Boston had 12 points, 10 boards and five steals.

Former Temple star Shey Peddy is now with Los Angeles.

Indiana on a back-to-back is part of Ion’s five-game card Friday visiting Dallas at 7:30 p.m.

Los Angeles hosts Chicago Sunday at 4 p.m. on ESPN.

Friday’s other games are Minnesota at Atlanta at 7:30 p.m., while Chicago is at expansion Golden State at 10 p.m., the same time New York is at a key game with Phoenix, and Seattle hosts Connecticut.