Why is Aaliyah Edwards not playing today against Indiana Fever? Latest injury update for Washington Mystics forward (May 3)

Washington Mystics forward Aaliyah Edwards will not play on Saturday against the Indiana Fever. The team announced on Thursday that the No. 6 pick of the 2024 WNBA draft is dealing with a low-back contusion. Edwards, who had a good campaign in the Unrivaled league, will be re-evaluated in two weeks.

Without Edwards, new Mystics coach Sydney Johnson could insert highly-touted rookie Kiki Iriafen into the starting lineup. Johnson could also ask Stefanie Dolson to step up for stability and veteran leadership. If Dolson gets the call, she forms an imposing frontline with Shakira Austin to start the game.

Washington will be hoping Aaliyah Edwards can shrug off the injury in time for the regular season. Johnson has high expectations from her following a solid rookie campaign where she averaged 7.6 points and 5.6 rebounds per game.

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Aaliyah Edwards joins rookie Georgia Amoore on the sidelines

The injury bug has hit the Washington Mystics hard, even before the season started. Rookie Georgia Amoore suffered a right ACL sprain in practice on Tuesday. The former Kentucky star could miss the season of the season to recover from the gruesome injury.

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Two days after Amoore injured her right knee, the Mystics announced Aaliyah Edwards’ low-back contusion. Some players return from the same injury in a few weeks, while others could sit out for months. Washington’s 2025 campaign will take a big hit if Edwards is out for long.

Edwards and Amoore were expected to start for Sydney Johnson. The new coach will have to improvise and adapt early in his stint for the Mystics due to injuries.

The Mystics lose a key frontcourt contributor without Aaliyah Edwards

The Washington Mystics have a towering frontline made up of Shakira Austin, Stefanie Dolson and Ashten Prechtel, who are all 6-foot-5. Austin will likely start, while Dolson seems to be her primary backup. The rookie Prechtel is hoping to earn a spot in the rotation.

Losing Anthony Edwards could be significant against the Indiana Fever, which upgraded their frontline. Joining Aaliyah Boston in the frontcourt are Jillian Alleyne, Natasha Howard, Damiris Dantas, Brianna Turner and 6-foot-4 DeWanna Bonner, who could also play guard.

The versatility and experience of the Fever frontline are advantages that could be costly for the Mystics.

About the author

Michael Macasero brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his coverage of basketball at Sportskeeda with over 18 years of diverse work experience. This includes stints at Convergys, Interpace and RunRepeat.

Michael's background in English and Journalism has provided him with the analytical skills and precision necessary for creating content, and he is a lifelong fan of the Boston Celtics. His favorite players include legends like Larry Bird and Michael Jordan, modern stars like Tim Duncan, and Nikola Jokic, as well as emerging talent like Victor Wembanyama.

Michael respects Gregg Popovich, despite his contentious demeanor in interviews, and recognizes Popovich's genius in adapting his coaching style to maximize the talent on his roster over the years. Michael eagerly anticipates seeing how Popovich will structure the offense around emerging talent like Victor Wembanyama.

Understanding the story and details is crucial to Michael's reporting philosophy and he believes overlooking details, particularly when pressed for time, can lead to misunderstandings and inaccurate conclusions.

Aside from work, Michael's children are his hobbies, and he also likes to go running, swimming and weightlifting.

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Edited by Michael Macasero

Why is Aaliyah Edwards not playing today against Indiana Fever? Latest injury update for Washington Mystics forward (May 3) | 2025 WNBA Preseason

Aaliyah Edwards joins rookie Georgia Amoore on the sidelines

The Mystics lose a key frontcourt contributor without Aaliyah Edwards