Chicago Sky at Washington Mystics 5/15/21 - WNBA Picks & Predictions

On Saturday the Chicago Sky visit the nation's capital to play the Washington Mystics in the opening game of the 2021 WNBA season for both. Last season Chicago finished 12-10 and was eliminated from the first round of the playoffs by Connecticut. The Sky acquired Candace Parker during the offseason. Parker is a two-time MVP and was the Defensive Player of the Year last season. However, Parker is 35 and will need help from players such as Azura Stevens and Diamond DeShiedls, both of whom play in only 13 games last season due to injuries.

Stevens returns healthy while DeShields has been limited in time during practice but is expected to play on Saturday. In 2019, DeShields averaged 16.2 points per game for the Sky. Allie Quigley and Courtney Vandersloot are both under covid protocol since returning from overseas. Chicago is expected to finish in the top five of the WNBA this season thanks to the addition of Parker and the return of DeShields and Stevens from injuries.

The Washington Mystics finished 2020 with a record of 9-13, which was eighth in the league. Washington was eliminated during the first round of the playoffs by the Phoenix Mercury. Returning this season after missing all of last season will be Elena Delle Donne and Tina Charles. If both players remain healthy all season, the Mystics will be one of the teams to beat.

Delle Donne sat out Washington 87-80 loss to Atlanta in an exhibition game on Wednesday but is expected to play in the opener on Saturday. Charles played well in the exhibition game scoring 18 points. Another key component for Washington is Myisha Hines-Allen who last season scored an average of 17.0 points per game and pulled down an average of 8.9 rebounds per game while playing in place of stars Delle Donne and Charles.