FINAL: Mystics 89 | Sparks 71

BOX SCORE | HIGHLIGHTS

SCORING LEADERS

Mystics: Ariel Atkins (23), Tina Charles (20), Theresa Plaisance (11)

Sparks: Te’a Cooper (11), Brittney Skyes (10), Amanda Zahui B (9)

GAME SUMMARY

In the first meeting between the teams this season, the Mystics got into their groove early thanks to Ariel Atkins and Tina Charles, who combined for 43 points in the Mystics’ 89-71 win over the Los Angeles Sparks. Contributions from nearly the entire Mystics roster led the team to a comfortable win.

Ariel Atkins put the Mystics on the board early with a 25-foot three-pointer in the first minute of the game, with another three by Atkins following right behind. The Mystics led the Sparks 23-14 at the end of the first, the sixth time this season that Washington has held an opponent to 15 or fewer points in a quarter.

Atkins continued to shine throughout the first half, scoring 18 of her 23 points in the half and helping give the Mystics a 10-point lead at the end of the half, up 45-35 and never letting the lead change hands. This is the most Atkins has scored in a half this season and marks her fourth 20+ point game of the season. On her continued success, Atkins says “It definitely feels good to be able to do this for my team…because at the end of the day if we all get better and we all be consistent at what we’re trying to do here, our team gets better as a whole.”

Mystics went on an 11-3 run to close out the third quarter and extend their lead over the Sparks, ending the quarter 69-51. Theresa Plaisance extended the team’s lead in the fourth quarter, scoring a season-high 11 points. Plaisance is one of four Mystics players who scored 10+ points, marking the team’s sixth consecutive game this season where three or more players reached double figures. The team collaboration led the Mystics to an 89-71 victory over the Sparks, never letting the lead change hands.

Tina Charles Makes History

Tina Charles had a historic game on Thursday night against the Sparks, recording her second double-double of the season and the 158^th double-double of her career. This performance placed Charles second on the all-time double-double leaders list, passing Lisa Leslie.

Charles’ 20 points and 10 rebounds marked the 85^th 20/10 game of her career, and she holds the all-time record for most 20/10 games. Her 20-point game marked the eighth consecutive game scoring 15+ points, Charles’ longest streak since the 2017 season.

The Mystics face the Dream in Atlanta on Sunday, June 13 at 3:30 PM.