WASHINGTON, D.C.—The thousands of fans who braved the torrential downpour to travel to the Verizon Center on Friday night to see the Connecticut Sun and the hometown Washington Mystics battle it out for the top spot in the East left disappointed after the indoor game was rained out because of a leak in the roof.
Officials held off announcing the cancellation for almost an hour, but despite attempts to stop the leak, ultimately, the court conditions just weren’t safe enough for play to begin.
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The Mystics and Sun are both 13-9 on the season, tied for third place in the league.
This was only the Mystics’ second home game in July. The team has been plagued by injury problems lately. Guard Tayler Hill is out for the season with an ACL tear, former MVP Elena Delle Donne missed a couple of games with an ankle injury before returning to the lineup earlier this week, and guard Natasha Cloud is out for at least two games with a partial plantar fascia tear — though head coach Mike Thibault indicated before the game to The Summitt that she will likely be out for longer.
Earlier on Friday, Mystics waived rookie Jennie Simms and signed veteran guard Allison Hightower, who is finally healthy after spending two years sidelined with injuries. Hightower, who was a WNBA All-Star in 2013, formerly played for Thibault when he coached the Suns.
Both teams play again on Sunday—the Mystics will travel to Atlanta to face the Dream, while the Sun will host the Indiana Fever.
Weather permitting, the Mystics will be back at the Verizon Center next Friday night to take on the San Antonio Stars.