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The second week in the Wubble proved to be less prosperous for the Washington Mystics than week #1. Powered by their high-flying offense, Washington got off to a red-hot start in the first week, winning 3 of their 4 games. A string of losses during the second week has left the team a game under .500 as they approach a difficult stretch in the schedule.

Today, we’ll be looking at the difference between the week #1 Mystics team that shot to the top of the WNBA standings and the week #2 Mystics team that took a slight step back. We’ll also examine some numbers that demonstrate that these past few games may have just been a brief hiccup.

In what will be a season-long series, Significant StatiSTICS will take a look at the numbers and milestones behind the Mystics’ wins and losses throughout 2020. Learn what’s driving the team’s success down in the Wubble and be sure to check back weekly for updates!

75.7 POINTS PER GAME
The Mystics’ offensive prowess that we had grown so accustomed to seeing last season, and through the first four games of this season, hit a bump in the road. The team averaged just 75.7 points per game this week, which is 16.8 points per game fewer than they averaged in week #1.

30.2%
The step back in offensive efficiency this week may start and end with Washington’s struggles along the three-point arc. The team shot just 30.2% from distance over its past three games, after shooting a league-leading 40.3% during the first week.

29 REBOUNDS PER GAME
In week #2, the Mystics secured nearly 8 fewer rebounds per game than they did during week #1. Washington will have to rebound the ball better moving forward to create more second-chance opportunities for themselves and fewer for their opponents.

DOUBLE-DOUBLE x2
During Wednesday’s game against Las Vegas, Emma Meesseman and Myisha Hines-Allen became the first Mystics teammates in nearly two years to record a double-double in the same game. Meesseman finished with 24 points and 13 rebounds while Hines-Allen finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds.

15+ POINTS
Emma Meesseman has scored at least 15 points in three consecutive games. This marks her longest 15+ point scoring streak in over three years and will likely have to continue for the team to bounce back during this upcoming stretch of games.

16 TURNOVERS
During Sunday night’s game, the Mystics forced Indiana into 16 turnovers. This is the sixth time already this season that Washington has forced their opponent into 15 or more turnovers. While the team’s offense struggled during week #2, their defense remained strong, only allowing 82.7 points per game.

103.5 OFFENSIVE RATING
Offensive rating is an advanced statistic that measures a team’s points scored per 100 possessions. Washington has a 103.5 offensive rating at this point in the season, good enough for the fourth best in the WNBA.

1.44 ASSIST/TURNOVER
The Mystics lead the league in assist-to-turnover rate through 7 games played with 1.44 assists for every turnover they commit. Washington also leads the league in turnover percentage: only turning the ball over 15.1 times per 100 plays.

66.6 WINNING PERCENTAGE
In a look-ahead to next week, the Mystics face one of the toughest stretches of their 2020 schedule. The team will take on the Minnesota Lynx, Los Angeles Sparks, and Las Vegas Aces – three teams that have won 66.6 percent of their games so far this season.

Significant StatiSTICS: Week 3

Significant StatiSTICS: Week 2

Significant StatiSTICS: Week 1