LOS ANGELES — After practice, Stefanie Dolson walked off the court at El Camino College and plopped down in a courtside chair. Moments later, she rolled her eyes when she realized she would be the topic of conversation. That reaction from one of the most personable players in the WNBA wasn’t mean-spirited; she just prefers to talk about nearly anything else — and avoid any possible jinx.

Entering Tuesday night’s game at the Los Angeles Sparks, the Washington Mystics center was in the best stretch of her career, which includes two all-star seasons. She had scored in double figures in five straight games, her most since a run of six in 2018. And she was averaging 17.8 points in that span, the highest average of her career over a five-game stretch.

“I’m just trying to stay consistent with whatever I’m doing,” she said of her increasing role. “I think it is a lot, but it’s nothing I haven’t seen before. I think the leadership part is probably the hardest.”

The 32-year-old’s sterling play of late is part of a career resurgence in her first year back with the franchise that drafted her sixth overall in 2014. The Mystics wanted an experienced post player who can stretch the floor but also sought the right character as they reconstructed their roster. All of that fit the 6-foot-5 Dolson, who was seeking more playing time after averaging 11.9 minutes in a bench role with the New York Liberty last season.

But no one expected this much from Dolson — injuries to starters Shakira Austin (hip), Brittney Sykes (foot sprain) and Karlie Samuelson (fractured hand) significantly reduced Washington’s offensive firepower and created a void. The Mystics wanted Dolson to come in and not hesitate to shoot, but now they desperately need her production.

“She just has more comfort with who she is and where she belongs in this league and how she can help a team,” Coach Eric Thibault said. “Everybody knew coming out of college [at Connecticut] that she had a really good basketball brain, especially for a big. And I think she’s figured out how to use that. ... I love that she’s shooting the ball as aggressively as she is. And I think she’s made real strides defensively.”

Dolson’s numbers have reflected her increased usage, but she also has grown comfortable in an offense that emphasizes ball movement and finding the open shooter. She entered Tuesday leading the league by shooting 50.0 percent from three-point range; that was the highest mark of her career and had helped the Mystics reach No. 2 in the league at 36.3 percent. Her scoring average of 10.6 points was tied for the second highest of her career and is her best since 2017, when she made her most recent all-star appearance. Her 26.4 minutes were the third most of her career, as were her 2.4 assists.

Thibault begged her to let it fly, and her 4.6 three-point attempts were a career high that nearly doubled her previous top mark (2.4 in 2019). Thibault pointed out that she has a quick trigger, but defenders are paying her more attention now, so she has added a pump fake and other counters.

Mystics associate coach LaToya Sanders was a teammate of Dolson’s her first time in Washington, then played against her and now coaches her. She has seen her grow and develop and knows it takes time for incoming players to get comfortable. But Sanders didn’t want to see any passivity.

“I don’t think she’s doing anything differently,” Sanders said. “Shots are finally falling. I think she has just found a rhythm with everybody, found a rhythm within our sets.”

Dolson laughed as she recalled Sanders challenging her earlier in the season. Her aggression and leadership weren’t always there, and Sanders knew she could give more. At times, Dolson gets in her own head too much — she describes herself as an overthinker — and she has to keep her mind busy. She loves puzzles and Legos. She even takes an unusual approach to shooting slumps: less practice.

The Mystics needed more of Dolson’s high basketball IQ and coolheaded approach to leadership, especially as they started a franchise-worst 0-12. Sanders said her confidence has grown.

“She’s so secure in who she is as a person. She’s so secure in who she is as a basketball player,” Sanders said. “She knows what she has to be for us to be competitive. She’s also very calming. She’s able to talk to different players, know what to say without jumping down their throats. She doesn’t talk too much. She talks at the right time, and she talks in the right tone.”

One of those targets is rookie Aaliyah Edwards, who also was selected sixth overall out of Connecticut. Their styles are different, but Edwards picks up the lessons that Dolson dishes out.

“She explains why she does what she does,” she said. “I always try to pick her brain. ... Learning under her has been great for me.”

Note: Edwards was named to the Canadian Olympic team Tuesday, securing her second trip to the Games this month in Paris. The 21-year-old found out a few days ago — and shed a few happy tears — but was able to celebrate with her teammates Tuesday. Additionally, the matchup with the Sparks brought her first chance to compete in Crypto.com Arena, where her idol, Kobe Bryant, played. Edwards’s purple-and-gold braids are a tribute to Bryant, and she spent some time at his statue outside the arena Monday. “All the feels are coming to me right now,” she said Tuesday.