WASHINGTON -- Washington Mystics star Alana Beard strained
her left shoulder while playing for the U.S. women's national team
and is considered week-to-week.
"She's obviously doing everything she can to get back on the
basketball court as quickly as possible. With that said, we don't
want to take any chances and we want to make sure she's strong and
not set her up for additional injuries," Mystics general manager
Linda Hargrove said in a statement on Tuesday.
"We'll evaluate her pretty much at the end of each week and see
what progress she's made."
The Mystics open the season May 19.
The club said Beard was injured while playing for the United
States in Italy.
A starter in the 2006 WNBA All-Star game, Beard averaged 19.2
points last season.