Angel McCoughtry wasn’t subtle when asked if she will be able to play in Thursday’s 7 p.m. game against Washington at Philips Arena.
As coach Marynell Meadors walked by, McCoughtry loudly answered, “Hopefully, coach will let me come in a little bit. Maybe 10-12 [minutes].”
McCoughtry sprained her left knee May 25 during practice. Until Wednesday, she hadn’t been able to practice and didn’t play in Sunday’s season-opening loss to New York.
Meadors said she thought McCoughtry looked fantastic Wednesday and hopes she can play, but won’t decide until Thursday. The trainers need to see how McCoughtry’s knee reacts to Wednesday’s practices, in which she competed with the first team in a few of the sessions. Meadors said the worst thing she can do is bring McCoughtry back too soon and risk a re-injury or setback.
McCoughtry said the swelling has gone down a lot and the knee still is slightly inflamed, but McCoughtry said she can handle that.
McCoughtry, a third-year pro out of Louisville, was the Dream’s best player last year, averaging 21.1 points and leading the Dream to their first appearance in the WNBA finals. They missed her scoring and defense Sunday in their 94-88 overtime loss to the Liberty.
Thursday reunions
For the first time Lindsey Harding will face the team she played for the previous two seasons. The Dream acquired her from Washington in a draft-day trade.
Part of that trade sent Kelly Miller away from Atlanta and her twin sister Coco.
The sisters, who starred at Georgia, were selected in the first round of the WNBA draft in 2001. Kelly went No. 2 to Charlotte while Coco was chosen ninth by Washington.
The duo was reunited for the first time in the WNBA when they signed as unrestricted free agents for the 2010 season. Kelly saw the most playing time, averaging 31 minutes to Coco’s 7.3. But an injury suffered by Kelly in August opened the door for Coco, and she took advantage, averaging 25.7 minutes in the playoffs and increasing her scoring from 3.1 points to 10.6.
“It’s a little bittersweet,” Coco said. “I would have loved to play with her. I’m just trying to make the most of it. She was there cheering me on.”
New addition
The Dream signed free-agent guard Kelly Mazzante on Monday with the hope that she can provide steady 3-point shooting.
Mazzante, a standout at Penn State who is the leading scorer in Big Ten history, has averaged 4.8 points in her six-year career and helped Phoenix win championships in 2007 and ’09.
Meadors said she tired to acquire Mazzante before the Dream’s inaugural season, which resulted in her getting a better contract from the Mercury.
Mazzante, a 34.1-percent 3-point shooter, said the Dream are a great fit for her. She joked that anywhere behind the 3-point line is a great spot for her to shoot.
“That’s what I bring,” she said. “Teams know I can do that. Hopefully I can stretch it open for the inside game.”
