Mystics Host Sky, Still Seeking First Victory
Sky vs Mystics WNBA Odds Favor Chicago (-4.5)
The Washington Mystics have set a new franchise record for futility with nine straight losses to begin the season. Looking to avoid an 0-10 start, they’ll host the Chicago Sky on Thursday (7 p.m. ET) at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.
WNBA betting odds list the Sky as 4.5-point favorites and -198 on the moneyline, with the Mystics priced +164 to win outright. Meanwhile, the projected total is 156 with a slight edge to the Under at -112.
What can bettors expect? Read on as we break down both teams and assess the Sky vs Mystics WNBA odds in our game preview.
🏀 Chicago Sky at Washington Mystics 🏀
📍Location: Capital One Arena; Washington, D.C.
⏰Day/Time: 📺Streaming: MNMT/Prime Video
Sky vs Mystics Betting Trends
The Chicago Sky are 4-4 against the spread, including 2-2 at home. As for the Over/Under, Chicago is 3-5.
The Washington Mystics are 4-4-1 ATS, but 2-4-1 over their last seven games. Against the Over/Under, Washington is 4-5.
That’s important to remember when assessing the Sky vs Mystics WNBA odds.
Youth Movement Rolls On
Better days may be ahead for Chicago. But for the time being, the Sky doesn’t necessarily match up with most of their competition. The Sky are 3-5, having lost four of their last five games.
The results are obviously not optimal, but such struggles aren’t surprising given the youth on the roster. On the heels of a sub-.500 finish, the Sky (projected for 12.5 wins) loaded up in the draft by selecting Kamilla Cardoso and Angel Reese with the No. 3 and No. 7 picks, respectively.
Cardoso has played only two games after injuring her shoulder in the preseason. The former South Carolina star debuted June 1, registering 11 points and six rebounds in 18 minutes in a 71-70 loss to Indiana.
Reese, meanwhile, is averaging 10.9 points, 9.0 rebounds and 1.1 steals. The ex-LSU standout notched her second double-double (13 points, 10 rebounds) in Tuesday’s 88-75 loss to New York, and has been a fixture in the starting lineup.
Veteran Marina Mabrey has been Chicago’s top scorer, averaging 16.8 points while shooting 39% from 3-point range.
The Sky have made five straight playoff trips, including winning the 2021 WNBA title. It’ll be challenging, however, to continue that streak. Chicago has +115 odds to qualify for the postseason.
New Record for Futility
Is there an end to Washington’s misery? At 0-9, the Mystics are the WNBA’s only remaining winless team. They’ve been outscored by an average of 10.2 points, the second-largest disparity in the WNBA ahead of Indiana (-13.1).
Three of Washington’s last four losses have come by double digits, including Tuesday’s 76-59 defeat to Connecticut. The Mystics, 13-point underdogs, failed to cover for the third time in four games and are 4-4-1 ATS. Keep that in mind when assessing the Sky vs Mystics WNBA odds.
Without Elena Delle Donne, Washington is unlikely to improve anytime soon. The two-time MVP and seven-time All-Star, who’s taking an indefinite leave from basketball, has played only 51 games the past three seasons because of recurring back issues. Delle Donne also sat out the 2020 campaign in the Florida bubble because of COVID-19 concerns. Set to turn 35 in September, she’s possibly played her last game with Washington.
That uncertainty has complicated Washington’s efforts to build a competitive WNBA team. The Mystics, lacking star power, are already +1500 longshots to make the playoffs. Projected for 11.5 wins, second-fewest in the league ahead of Los Angeles (9.5), they’ve struggled to match even the lowest expectations.
Guard Ariel Atkins, an All-Star in 2021 and 2022, has been Washington’s de-facto No. 1 scorer. She is averaging 13.2 points on 35.9% shooting. She isn’t getting much help, though. Shakira Austin (11.7 PPG, 6.8 RPG) and Brittney Sykes (8.0 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 3.5 APG) are both expected to sit out Thursday with injuries.
That could spell more minutes for rookie Aaliyah Edwards, who scored a season-high 14 points against Connecticut.
Handicapping the Game
Washington has to win at some point, right? Right?
At the moment, it’s difficult envisioning an end to the Mystics’ futility. They were punchy early, staying within single digits of legitimate title contenders in New York, Connecticut and Seattle. But things have gotten progressively worse on the WNBA schedule, with their last four losses coming by an average of 16.5 points. Adding injury to insult, they’re expected to be without Austin (hip) and Skyes (ankle).
Chicago has its own issues. Youth and underperformance are the main culprits for now.
Despite that, it’s difficult for bettors to put much trust in the woeful Mystics.
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