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Mystics rookie Christyn Williams suffers season-ending knee injury

By Mike DePrisco

Mystics rookie Christyn Williams suffers season-ending injury originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington

Mystics rookie Christyn Williams suffered a season-ending knee injury, the team announced Wednesday. Washington drafted her 14th overall nine days earlier in the 2022 WNBA Draft. 

Williams will undergo knee surgery and does not yet have a timetable for a return. 

“We are heartbroken for Christyn and will miss her greatly,” Washington head coach and general manager Mike Thibault said in a statement. “She was off to a terrific start in training camp and I know she will work diligently to make a comeback next season. She will have our full support and all of our resources during her rehab. She is part of the Mystics family.”

Williams likely faced an uphill battle making the Mystics’ regular-season roster as a rookie. Washington can now move her to injured reserve and retain her rights. As long as she is on injured reserve, her salary will not count against Washington’s cap number. 

The Mystics are in the middle of training camp now and their preseason opener against the Atlanta Dream is on April 24. Their WNBA regular-season opener is May 6 against the Indiana Fever.

Natasha Cloud, Ariel Atkins named to WNBA’s All-Defensive First Team

By Tyler Byrum
Cloud, Atkins named to WNBA's All-Defensive First Team originally appeared on NBC Sports WashingtonThe backcourt duo of Natasha Cloud and Ariel Atkins were named to the WNBA's All-Defensive First Team on Tuesday after leading the Mystics to the No. 1 defensive distinction in the league this past season.It is the first time either guard was named to the first team in their careers. They are the first Mystics to be on the first team since Alana Beard in 2007. They join the Defensive Player of the Year A'ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart and Sylvia Fowles on the first team. Additionally, Cloud received two of the 56 votes for DPOTY. Here is a full list of the results:First TeamA'ja Wilson, Las Vegas AcesBreanna Stewart, Seattle StormSylvia Fowles, Minnesota LynxNatasha Cloud, Washington MysticsAriel Atkins, Washington MysticsSecond TeamAlyssa Thomas, Connecticut SunJonquel Jones, Connecticut SunEzi Magbegor, Seattle StormBrittney Sykes, Los Angeles SparksGabby Williams, Seattle StormAtkins has now been recognized for her defensive efforts in each of the first five seasons of her career. For Cloud, it is the second time (2019 2nd Team) that she made the talented 10-player grouping. Over the past two offseasons, the Mystics prioritized building their defensive prowess. Atkins and Cloud were the first two building blocks for that effort as they signed Alysha Clark in 2021, Elizabeth Williams in 2022 and then drafted one of the best defensive prospects in Shakira Austin at No. 3. The result was the Mystics being ranked first in the WNBA by multiple defensive metrics. At the point of that defensive attack were Cloud and Atkins. The hope was that the unit could carry the team as the offense did in 2019.Cloud averaged 1.0 steals per game this season, marking the third straight season she's reached that mark. Her 100 defensive rating and 1.9 defensive win-shares were the highest of her career, per Basketball Reference. While Clark typically took the toughest defensive assignment on the floor, Cloud would take the second. When Clark went to the bench, it was Cloud's responsibility to take on that matchup. Related: Will Griner's detainment change playing overseas?Atkins registered in the top ten of the league with a career-high 2.0 defensive win shares - the sixth-best in the WNBA. She also set a career-best 99 defensive rating. Her 1.4 steals per game led the team.This marks the first time in team history two Mystics received All-Defensive honors, regardless of first or second team. It is just the 14th time in WNBA history that two players from the same team made the first team.
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