Mystics F Beard to miss opener

May 14, 2008 - 11:03 PM WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- The Washington Mystics on Wednesday announced that All-Star guard Alana Beard will miss the team's opener against the Indiana Fever Saturday with an undisclosed injury.

Beard, who turned 26 on Wednesday, was injured while playing in Poland during the offseason.

"Alana is obviously a very important part of our roster and we want to take every precaution possible to ensure that she has a very productive 2008 WNBA season," Mystics general manager Linda Hargrove said.

A three-time All-Star, Beard averaged 18.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 33 games for Washington in 2007.