WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Nakia Sanford’s window to win the WNBA’s most improved player award has probably closed now that she’s in her sixth season. But if her performance in the Mystics’ season opener was any indication — 14 points, 11 rebounds — she might think about lobbying for herself just like she did last year.

“It’s okay [that I didn’t win] because I got the most improved paycheck,” said Sanford, who averaged a career-best 11.0 points and 7.1 boards in 2007, leading to a 3-year contract offer from Minnesota that was matched by Washington (0-1) in the offseason. “I think that the trust they put in me and the faith they have in how much I’ve improved is enough for me. That’s my reward.”

“She worked in the offseason and came back and started where she left off,” said Mystics head coach Tree Rollins, who will need another solid performance from his key post player against New York (0-1) with Alana Beard (hamstring) set to miss a second straight game.

Backcourt help

As forecast last week by Washington general manager Linda Hargrove, the Mystics continue to bolster their backcourt, waiving 6-foot-8 center Lindsay Taylor and signing 5-foot-6 point guard Crystal Smith, a third-year player who spent last season with Houston and recently was waived by Minnesota. Smith is recovering from a foot injury and will join the team in two weeks.