The Washington Mystics 2004 centered their offense around Alana Beard, whose all-around production as a scorer, playmaker, rebounder, and defender made her the team’s driving force. Chasity Melvin provided consistent interior scoring and rebounding, while Delisha Milton-Jones added versatile frontcourt production. Washington’s statistical profile reflected balanced contributions on both ends of the floor, with strong defensive activity and rebounding helping offset inconsistent perimeter shooting and overall offensive efficiency.
The Mystics were built around Holdsclaw’s isolation scoring and interior creation before her season was interrupted by a personal medical leave. Even in limited games, opposing defenses continued to load up on her touches, and reporters consistently described Washington’s offense as revolving around her ability to draw attention in the post and mid-range.
WNBA All-Star (2004)
Alana Beard
Starter/Star [1.1]
30.1
High [1.2]
13.1
4.2
2.7
3.0
60.19
Beard immediately handled major two-way responsibility as a rookie, often taking difficult perimeter assignments while expanding into a primary scoring role after Holdsclaw stepped away. Coaches and local coverage praised her composure, transition play and willingness to defend the opponent’s best guard.
WNBA All-Star (2004), WNBA All-Rookie Team (2004)
Chasity Melvin
Key Contributor [1.05]
24.3
Medium [1.1]
8.6
3.9
1.1
0.9
33.26
Melvin filled an important frontcourt role by supplying physical interior minutes, screening and low-post scoring rather than serving as a featured option. Her veteran presence became increasingly valuable as Washington adjusted its rotation during the season.
None
Stacey Dales
Key Contributor [1.05]
25.2
Medium [1.1]
8.2
2.1
2.5
0.7
31.31
Dales functioned as a secondary playmaker who kept the offense organized and spaced the floor. Game coverage regularly highlighted her passing vision and willingness to move the ball, even when her own shooting fluctuated.
None
Murriel Page
Key Contributor [1.05]
24.5
Low [1.0]
5.6
4.2
1.1
1.3
25.62
Page quietly handled demanding defensive assignments on the wing while contributing efficient complementary scoring. Her versatility allowed the Mystics to use multiple defensive matchups without sacrificing rebounding.
None
Nakia Sanford
Key Contributor [1.05]
21.1
Low [1.0]
5.5
5.0
0.6
1.1
28.25
Sanford embraced a hustle role built on rebounding, interior defense and energy. Independent coverage frequently noted her willingness to battle larger post players and provide reliable frontcourt depth.
None
Coco Miller
Bench [1.0]
19.3
Low [1.0]
4.8
1.9
1.3
0.6
17.20
Miller supplied instant energy off the bench, bringing pace and ball movement to the second unit. Her offensive role stayed modest, but she helped stabilize reserve lineups with active perimeter play.
None
Tamicha Jackson
Bench [1.0]
16.2
Low [1.0]
5.4
1.5
1.8
0.8
19.00
Jackson operated primarily as a reserve guard whose value came from defending multiple backcourt spots and keeping the offense moving. Her minutes often depended on matchup needs rather than scoring output.
None
Aiysha Smith
Bench [1.0]
13.9
Low [1.0]
4.0
2.4
0.5
1.0
15.80
Smith provided energetic frontcourt minutes and flashed scoring ability around the basket when called upon. Contemporary coverage viewed her as a developing reserve capable of changing games with activity rather than volume shooting.
None
Kiesha Brown
Bench [1.0]
14.3
Low [1.0]
4.0
1.9
1.6
0.6
16.20
Brown worked mainly as a reserve perimeter option, stretching defenses with spot-up shooting while filling supporting ball-handling duties. Her role emphasized spacing instead of creating offense.
None
Kaayla Chones
Bench [1.0]
8.8
Low [1.0]
2.2
1.3
0.3
0.4
8.40
Chones appeared in a limited developmental role, providing occasional size in the frontcourt. Contemporary independent coverage of her rookie season was limited, with most discussion centered on long-term potential rather than immediate impact.
None
Shaunzinski Gortman
Bench [1.0]
6.0
Low [1.0]
0.0
1.0
0.5
0.3
3.60
Gortman’s opportunities were brief and independent contemporary reporting on her role was limited. She primarily served as emergency depth while seeing only spot minutes during the season.
None
WASHINGTON MYSTICS TOTALS
—
—
—
80.4
36.9
18.9
14.2
343.57
Washington finished 17-17 and reached the 2004 WNBA Playoffs despite losing Chamique Holdsclaw for much of the second half of the season, with Alana Beard emerging as the team’s new focal point.
Beard became Washington’s primary creator throughout the series, attacking off the dribble while taking the toughest perimeter defensive assignments. Coverage after the opening-round win emphasized her growing leadership following Chamique Holdsclaw’s absence, and she continued to pressure Connecticut’s defense even as the Sun adjusted late in the series. (washingtonpost.com)
WNBA All-Star (2004), WNBA All-Rookie Team (2004)
Chasity Melvin
Starter/Star [1.1]
34.7
High [1.2]
13.7
8.3
2.0
1.6
67.06
Melvin anchored the interior with physical post play that Connecticut openly complained about after Game 1. Independent reporting highlighted how her rebounding, screening and willingness to battle inside helped redefine the Mystics after Holdsclaw left, making her the emotional tone-setter of the playoff run. (washingtonpost.com)
None
Stacey Dales
Starter/Star [1.1]
29.0
Medium [1.1]
9.0
5.0
1.7
0.7
39.93
Dales worked as a secondary ball-handler who kept Washington organized against Connecticut’s pressure. Her outside shooting was inconsistent, but she remained trusted to initiate offense and make quick passing decisions within Michael Adams’ motion attack.
None
Nakia Sanford
Key Contributor [1.05]
20.7
Low [1.0]
4.3
6.3
0.0
1.0
24.36
Sanford filled an energy role built around offensive rebounding and physical interior defense. Contemporary playoff coverage focused more on her willingness to do the demanding frontcourt work than on her offensive production.
None
Tamicha Jackson
Bench [1.0]
14.0
Low [1.0]
5.7
0.3
1.3
0.0
14.60
Jackson supplied steady reserve guard minutes, spacing the floor and helping move the ball when Beard rested. Her value came from keeping the offense under control rather than forcing extra possessions.
None
Coco Miller
Bench [1.0]
17.0
Low [1.0]
5.3
2.3
0.7
1.7
20.00
Miller injected pace with the second unit and looked to pressure the ball defensively. Independent coverage of her individual playoff role was limited, but she consistently provided active minutes off the bench whenever called upon.
None
Aiysha Smith
Bench [1.0]
17.7
Low [1.0]
5.0
2.7
0.3
0.3
16.60
Smith gave Washington useful frontcourt scoring in relief, particularly during the Game 1 victory when her offensive burst helped extend the lead. Coaches praised the collective commitment from the bench as the Mystics embraced a defense-first identity.
None
Murriel Page
Starter/Star [1.1]
30.0
Low [1.0]
3.7
4.7
1.3
0.3
22.00
Page accepted difficult wing defensive assignments despite offensive struggles in the series. Her ability to defend multiple positions kept her in the rotation even when her shot deserted her.
None
Kiesha Brown
Bench [1.0]
1.5
Low [1.0]
1.5
0.0
0.0
0.0
3.00
Brown appeared only briefly as a reserve shooter. Independent contemporary playoff coverage discussing her individual role was limited because of her minimal playing time.
None
Kaayla Chones
Bench [1.0]
2.0
Low [1.0]
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.5
1.00
Chones saw only limited minutes as developmental frontcourt depth. Independent reporting specific to her playoff appearances was scarce due to her very small role.
None
Shaunzinski Gortman
Bench [1.0]
2.0
Low [1.0]
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.00
Gortman was available for emergency depth and logged only a brief appearance. Independent contemporary coverage of her postseason role was limited.
None
WASHINGTON MYSTICS PLAYOFF TOTALS
—
—
—
64.9
33.6
16.3
10.8
285.90
Washington pushed top-seeded Connecticut to three games after reinventing its identity around defense, balanced scoring and the emerging partnership of Alana Beard and Chasity Melvin following Chamique Holdsclaw’s departure.
