CHICAGO, IL – With playoff contention on the line, the Washington Mystics displayed a near flawless performance in a 89-58 victory over the Chicago Sky and claiming the season series, 3-1.

Marking their highest point margin victory to date (31) this season, the team held Chicago to just 58 points–the least amount of points the Mystics have allowed this season and the least points any team in the league has scored against Washington since July 17, 2022. The Sky did not lead at any point in the contest, even going five minutes in the second quarter without scoring - proving true to the defensive threat Washington poses when they play at their best. The team held Chicago's front line below their usual production, with Stef Dolson and Aaliyah Edwards working tremendously to keep the Sky's Kamilla Cardoso scoreless until the latter end of the second quarter.

Rookie Aaliyah Edwards claimed 15 points, 10 rebounds, and three blocks to lead the team in both points and boards, securing her third career double-double. The night's hard hat recipient is now one of four Mystics players to record 3+ double-doubles in their rookie season, following in the steps of current teammate Shakira Austin (4), along with Alessandra Santos de Oliveira (4), and Chamique Holdsclaw (6). Likely to claim 21 more rebounds in the five games left of regular season play, Edwards (188) will then pass Murriel Page (208) for third-most rebounds in a rookie season in franchise history.

Brittney Sykes, the second highest scorer of the night for Washington, appeared to be covering all ends of the floor early on in the contest. Slim mounted 12 of her 14 points, four of her eight rebounds, and two of her seven assists in just the first quarter to set the tone from the jump for Washington. The team also tied their season high of 28 assists in a game – making this the fifth-most assists in a game in franchise history (seven times; last 7/16/24).

The Mystics bench outscored the home bench 36 to 8, with newcomer Sika Koné seemingly finding her fit within the young roster as she led the reserves in scoring for the first time this season with a career-high of 11 points. Koné also claimed five rebounds and three assists. When asked in the postgame press conference about the energy Koné provides for Washington, teammate Aaliyah Edwards stated "Sika, she's a dog. I feel like she just capitalizes off every opportunity she's given...I'm just super happy that she's a part of our team and I get some help down there on the boards. So, I'm all for it."

Coming into the game late in the first quarter, veteran guard Shatori Walker-Kimbrough made an immediate impact after getting a steal and bucket, forcing Chicago to make a timeout. With award season right around the corner, head coach Eric Thibault spoke boldly of the Maryland alum to pregame press, stating, "I don’t see why Shatori shouldn’t be sixth player of the year. We have the highest scoring bench in the league… that group has been ever-changing and she has been the steady constant of it.” Eluding to the monumental year she’s had, and the growth she's shown this season.

Concluding the night, Ariel Atkins' nine points cemented her name yet again in Mystics history as she passed Monique Currie (2843) for the third most points all-time for the franchise. She now sits behind Chamique Holdsclaw (2960) and Alana Beard (3128). When made aware of Atkins' milestone, Sykes stated, "Not only does she shoot the ball really well, she's just a tremendous teammate and a tremendous human being. The way she had to step up in the being of the season and take on that heavy, heavy load…she handled it with grace." Expressing her appreciation for the leadership role Ariel has taken this season.

WHAT'S NEXT

Following last night's win, the Mystics head to Atlanta to play game one of their doubleheader on the road before returning home to close out their season series against the Dream. Tip-off is set for 3:00 pm on Sunday at Entertainment & Sports Arena.

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