Mystics Insider Blog

Guest Contributor – Andrew Willett

Following an impressive win over the Las Vegas Aces, the Washington Mystics looked dominant and played excellent basketball for long stretches in a win over the Atlanta Dream and overtime loss to the Connecticut Sun.

Each of Washington’s last six games came against four top-seven teams in the WNBA standings, including two matchups against third-seed Connecticut. But the Mystics endured its west coast road trip to find itself with multiple days off between three consecutive games prior to a five-game All-Star break. This gave Washington a breather after playing its first 21 games over a 51-day sprint, a welcome sight after a stretch where two out of three games wound up in overtime.

Dream Performance

Following the huge overtime win at Las Vegas (15-6), the Mystics crushed Atlanta (10-11) in an offensive explosion, 92-74. The 92 points equaled the highest point total for Washington this season and included the most points scored by the Mystics in a first half this season at 52. The Mystics shot 55.2% from the field (FG%), 60% from three (3PT%), and made 15 threes, all season-game highs. The Mystics also claimed the season series for a fourth consecutive season (2019-2022) as the team won its eighth straight at home over the Dream and took its 11th win in the last 12 matchups.

Terrific ball movement and the ability to play out of the post led to the three-point barrage as Washington assisted on another season-game high 24 out of 32 made baskets and seven Mystics made at least one three-pointer. In the post, Elena Delle Donne (EDD) made her presence known in just 19 minutes of play as Washington outscored Atlanta by 17 with her on the floor. EDD chipped in 11, one of four Mystics in double-figures and one of six with nine points or more. Shakira Austin added 9 points and 7 rebounds and Myisha Hines-Allen also played a great game with 11 points and 7 boards in just 12:41 of action.

While the post-play and ability to pass out of double teams started the action, the backcourt stepped up to blow this game out of the water. Ariel Atkins played up to her average of 15.2 points per game (PPG) by scoring 15 points behind 4/6 shooting from three. Natasha Cloud may lead the WNBA in assists per game (APG) at 7.2, but her shot-making led the way as she scored a game-high 18 points on 6/7 from the floor and 4/5 from 3. Unfortunately, her streak of 5+ assists ended at 23 games, the third-longest in WNBA History. But teammate Rui Machida led the way with five dimes as 10 of 11 Mystics dropped an assist.

Staring into the Sun

The Mystics’ 74-72 overtime loss to the third-seed Sun (14-7) was nothing to slump its shoulders at. Washington dominated for much of the game, leading by as many as 17 points before halftime and holding a 55-38 lead with 5:45 to go in the third quarter. Not only did Washington hold a large lead, but it held a 66-64 lead with under two minutes remaining in regulation with a shot to win in the final five seconds before overtime.

While the offense rolled easy with the Mystics dropping 55 over the first 24:15 of gameplay, shots just did not fall down the stretch. So, Washington’s defense held Connecticut in check in the final quarter. The Mystics split the previous two games against the Sun, winning its June 19th game 71-63. In doing so, Washington held the Sun, which went into the game second in the WNBA in scoring at 87.9 PPG, to just 36.7% FG% (22 of 60) and limited it to its lowest scoring output of the season to date. This time, the Mystics again stifled the league’s number three scoring offense at 84.5 PPG to just 66 points in regulation and 74 through overtime. Washington held Connecticut to 43.5% FG% (30-69) including only 12 points on 6/19 shooting in the fourth quarter.

A huge part of the defense was Austin down low. While Austin snapped her streak of 5+ rebounds in 11 consecutive games by only boarding three against Connecticut, she still put together a very solid outing. She scored 13 points on 4/6 from the floor and played outstanding defense on last year’s MVP Jonquel Jones, holding her to just 11 points. Austin’s streak equals the longest by a rookie since Imani McGee-Stafford recorded 12 in 2016 when Breanna Stewart also did so with 34. Additionally, this stands as the fourth-longest streak in franchise history and the longest streak since Chamique Holdsclaw did so in 24 consecutive games during the 1999 WNBA season.

In the first half, Washington jumped out to a huge lead thanks in large part to the play of Atkins. Atkins netted 14 first-half points, 12 of which came in the first quarter as she did not miss a shot over her first five attempts. Atkins finished with a team-high 18 on 7/13 from the field and chipped in four assists and four steals. Her consistency shines through as the scoring output equaled her 11th-straight and 21st game in double-figures this season, the most in the WNBA. Alysha Clark tallied 13 points and 7 rebounds, her 11th game with four or more rebounds, putting her over 1000 rebounds for her career with 1003. Hines-Allen also played well, scoring 8 points, just two shy of her second double-double of the season, as she collected a season-high 13 rebounds.

Looking Ahead

The Mystics will play once more before the All-Star break as the team heads to Atlanta to play the Dream for a fourth time this season tonight, Wednesday, July 6th at 8 p.m. ET on CBSSN and Monumental Sports Network.

While the first overall pick Rhyne Howard and the third overall pick in this past year’s draft Austin, do not play the same position, the matchup between the two will be one to watch over the years. Prior to the draft, the two were essentially traded for each other. Atlanta acquired the first pick from Washington with its eye on Howard while the Mystics wanted to step back to select the player it wanted, Austin, plus the 14th pick.

In the first game, a 78-73 Washington win, Howard dropped 21 points. Next time out, Washington dominated 70-50 while holding Howard scoreless for the first time in her young career. The third matchup proved no different as Washington limited Howard to just five points on 2/14 from the field in the 92-74 victory.

All-Star Shenanigans

With All-Star starters and reserves announced, captains selected their teams, leaving the WNBA world ready for All-Star Weekend. Ariel Atkins recently became a two-time All-Star as the only Mystics to represent Washington. Fans can tune-in to watch Atkins in the 2022 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game being held in Chicago at Wintrust Arena on Sunday, July 10 at 1:00 pm ET, on ABC. Other festivities include a 3-Point Contest & Skills Challenge on Saturday, July 9th at 3:00 pm ET on ESPN.