PREVIEW: The Washington Mystics and Los Angeles Sparks are set to clash in a pivotal WNBA matchup at CaseFirst Arena, with both teams carrying significant motivations into the game. Washington enters with an inspiring 11-11 record, better than expectations, after recently enjoying a three-match winning streak that included impressive victories over top teams like Las Vegas Aces and Chicago Sky. The Mystics' All-Star trio of Brittney Sykes, Sonia Citron, and Kiki Iriafen are particularly energized following their productive All-Star weekend performances. Defensively, they rely on Kiki Iriafen and Shakira Austin, with Iriafen serving as their best rebounder and defensive player, giving them an advantage on the boards with 35.5 rebounds per game. The Sparks are entering the game with renewed determination after their last performance before the international break. Currently sitting at 8-14 in the Western Conference, they boast significant star power, including Kelsey Plum, who leads the team with 20.1 points per game and has the ability to take over a game on any given night. The team excels in paint scoring, leading the Western Conference with 38.8 points per game inside, spearheaded by Dearica Hamby's 12.2 points. While they're missing Cameron Brink due to an ACL tear, reports suggest her return might be imminent, potentially before the end of July.