The Washington Mystics 2009 relied on Alana Beard as their primary offensive catalyst, combining scoring, playmaking, and defensive production, while Crystal Langhorne emerged as a key interior scorer and rebounder. Monique Currie added consistent wing scoring, and Lindsey Harding helped direct the offense from the backcourt. Washington’s statistical profile reflected balanced scoring, strong rebounding from its frontcourt, and active perimeter defense, though inconsistent outside shooting limited the team’s overall offensive efficiency.
Beard continued to set the tone as Washington’s primary scorer and best perimeter defender, regularly drawing the opposition’s top assignment while creating offense late in possessions. Independent coverage frequently pointed to her competitiveness as the constant on a roster battling injuries and inconsistency.
WNBA All-Star (2009)
Lindsey Harding
Starter/Star [1.1]
35.1
High [1.2]
12.8
4.0
4.5
1.7
60.19
Harding gave the Mystics a true pace-setting point guard, pushing the ball in transition and organizing the half-court offense with confidence. Local reporting highlighted how her arrival reduced the playmaking burden on Beard and helped stabilize the backcourt.
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Crystal Langhorne
Starter/Star [1.1]
29.8
High [1.2]
12.0
7.9
0.9
1.4
58.08
Langhorne broke out as one of the league’s most efficient interior scorers, thriving through deep seals, offensive rebounding and quick finishes around the rim. Coaches consistently praised her improved conditioning and expanding role as a foundational frontcourt piece.
WNBA Most Improved Player (2009), WNBA All-Star (2009)
Monique Currie
Starter/Star [1.1]
21.4
Medium [1.1]
8.2
4.3
1.8
1.3
37.51
Currie accepted a complementary scoring role while often defending bigger wings on the other end. Although her shooting was uneven, independent coverage regularly noted her willingness to handle difficult defensive assignments without complaint.
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Chasity Melvin
Starter/Star [1.1]
22.2
Medium [1.1]
5.9
4.6
1.1
1.9
32.43
Melvin’s offensive role shrank, but she remained an important interior presence through screening, rebounding and physical post defense. Veteran leadership and positional discipline kept her in the starting lineup throughout the season.
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Nakia Sanford
Key Contributor [1.05]
19.5
Low [1.0]
6.3
4.3
0.6
1.2
26.04
Sanford continued doing the demanding frontcourt work that rarely appeared in the box score, battling on the glass and defending multiple post players. Coaches valued her energy and willingness to embrace matchup-specific assignments.
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Matee Ajavon
Key Contributor [1.05]
17.3
Low [1.0]
8.0
1.9
1.1
1.2
25.62
Ajavon brought instant offense off the bench, attacking aggressively in transition and looking for her own shot whenever reserve units needed a spark. Her confidence as a scorer outweighed occasional inconsistency.
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Marissa Coleman
Bench [1.0]
18.8
Low [1.0]
6.1
2.7
0.8
1.0
21.20
Coleman spent much of her rookie season adjusting to the professional game, showing flashes as a versatile wing defender and perimeter shooter. Independent reporting emphasized her long-term upside more than immediate production.
WNBA All-Rookie Team (2009)
Tasha Humphrey
Bench [1.0]
7.4
Low [1.0]
2.2
1.4
0.3
0.4
8.60
Humphrey saw only limited opportunities before leaving the rotation. Contemporary coverage of her season remained sparse because she played a minimal role.
None
Bernice Mosby
Bench [1.0]
7.0
Low [1.0]
1.9
1.5
0.1
0.3
7.60
Mosby filled reserve frontcourt minutes and provided rebounding depth when needed. Independent reporting on her individual season was limited due to her modest workload.
None
Kristen Mann
Bench [1.0]
5.9
Low [1.0]
1.6
0.9
0.4
0.2
6.20
Mann’s primary value came as a situational wing who could stretch the floor and defend multiple perimeter spots. Her minutes fluctuated based on matchups throughout the year.
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Nikki Blue
Bench [1.0]
5.7
Low [1.0]
1.5
0.6
0.8
0.4
6.60
Blue returned in a limited reserve role, providing steady ball handling and defensive pressure in short stretches. Independent coverage discussing her individual contributions was limited because of her reduced minutes.
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WASHINGTON MYSTICS TOTALS
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—
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82.6
34.6
18.6
13.8
355.56
Washington finished 16–18 in 2009, narrowly missing the playoffs despite Crystal Langhorne’s breakout season and the addition of Lindsey Harding, with injuries and inconsistent offensive execution preventing a late postseason push.
Langhorne became Washington’s most reliable interior option, repeatedly establishing deep post position against Indiana and finishing efficiently through contact. Local playoff coverage highlighted how the Fever struggled to keep her off the glass, making her the Mystics’ steadiest offensive presence despite the series loss. (washingtonpost.com)
WNBA Most Improved Player (2009), WNBA All-Star (2009)
Alana Beard
Starter/Star [1.1]
27.0
High [1.2]
9.5
2.0
2.5
1.0
39.60
Beard entered the series playing through a sprained ankle suffered late in the regular season, and Indiana consistently loaded extra defenders toward her drives. She remained Washington’s emotional leader, stressing before the series that simply reaching the playoffs was no longer enough for the franchise. (washingtonpost.com)
WNBA All-Star (2009)
Marissa Coleman
Bench [1.0]
26.5
Low [1.0]
10.5
5.0
1.5
4.0
42.00
Coleman attacked confidently from the wing and provided valuable defensive activity throughout the series. Game coverage noted that returning to College Park energized both her and Langhorne, with the pair carrying much of Washington’s early offense in Game 1. (washingtonpost.com)
WNBA All-Rookie Team (2009)
Lindsey Harding
Starter/Star [1.1]
40.5
High [1.2]
10.5
2.5
4.0
1.5
48.31
Harding handled heavy playmaking responsibilities against Indiana’s aggressive perimeter defense, constantly pushing the pace despite relentless ball pressure. The Fever forced turnovers late, but Washington relied on Harding to organize nearly every half-court possession. (washingtonpost.com)
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Chasity Melvin
Starter/Star [1.1]
22.5
Medium [1.1]
8.5
3.0
2.0
1.5
36.30
Melvin supplied physical post defense and nearly sparked a late comeback in Game 1 with a key three-point play. Julie Plank repeatedly leaned on her veteran presence against Indiana’s experienced frontcourt.
None
Matee Ajavon
Key Contributor [1.05]
17.0
Low [1.0]
9.5
2.5
1.5
2.0
32.55
Ajavon provided instant offense off the bench, attacking gaps aggressively instead of settling for jumpers. Her energy helped Washington stay competitive whenever the second unit entered the game.
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Monique Currie
Starter/Star [1.1]
18.5
Medium [1.1]
5.0
7.5
0.5
2.5
37.51
Currie’s shot never arrived during the series, but she still contributed with rebounding and defensive versatility. Indiana’s physical wing defenders forced her into difficult looks, limiting her normal slashing game.
None
Nakia Sanford
Key Contributor [1.05]
17.5
Low [1.0]
5.0
2.5
1.5
0.5
19.95
Sanford embraced her usual blue-collar role by defending the paint and battling on the glass in limited minutes. Independent coverage emphasized Washington’s need for her toughness against Indiana’s veteran frontcourt.
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Kristen Mann
Bench [1.0]
8.0
Low [1.0]
3.0
1.0
0.0
0.0
8.00
Mann saw only a brief opportunity as a reserve wing, primarily providing floor spacing. Independent contemporary reporting discussing her individual playoff role was limited because of her minimal minutes.
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WASHINGTON MYSTICS PLAYOFF TOTALS
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—
—
80.0
38.0
17.5
14.0
337.61
Washington pushed top-seeded Indiana before falling in two games, with Crystal Langhorne emerging as the Mystics’ most consistent interior scorer while the Fever’s late-game experience ultimately decided the series.
