The answer didn’t require much hesitation for the Washington Mystics’ head coach, when asked pre-game about Stefanie Dolson’s veteran leadership and contributions during a historically-challenging early-season stretch. In citing her well-known attributes — the “natural feel for the game,” desire to make the right play, and a calmness when things get “frazzled,” — he couldn’t have known that his exact assessment would play out presciently during an all-important second quarter possession. Hoping to keep Washington’s offensive ship afloat during the Chicago Sky’s fierce comeback bid, the veteran navigates uncharted waters as a “point center,” hop-skipping the floor before floating an underhand, across-her-body dime to a cutting teammate for a crowd-stirring assist. Dolson’s steadying presence arrived through five points, six rebounds, five assists (a game-high), one steal, one block, and one 3-pointer on June 14, 2024. The multifaceted play helped Washington survive both the absence of two starters and Chicago’s second rally attempt thereafter, spurring on the season’s first winning streak. · Jun 14, 2024