Mystics dominated on the glass, 38–20, fall at home
The Connecticut Sun (21–6) departed the nation’s capital with an 85–75 victory over the Washington Mystics ( 10–16)
Much of the pregame talk revolved around who was missing for the Mystics. Still, the starting five quickly had fans on their feet at Entertainment and Sports Arena — Myisha Hines-Allen tucked the ball inside to a cutting Natasha Cloud for a nifty two. Seconds later, Shatori Walker-Kimbrough drained a 24-footer.
After a high-octane first quarter, during which neither team led by more than six, the Sun went into the break with the lead, 22–16.
Four quick points for Connecticut off turnovers forced an apoplectic Mike Thibault to ask for a timeout. An Ariel Atkins jab-step three to resume play elicited cheers from the fans in the building. Hines-Allen then knocked down a contested two over Jonquel Jones and Leilani Mitchell (who netted her 500th career three) launched a deep ball. Back-to-back blow-bys from Cloud and Hines-Allen, which capped a 12–2 Mystics run to knot the score, had the Sun asking for a breather. 21 first-half points from Jones, however, helped the visitors to an eight-point advantage.
Washington stayed within striking distance, but Connecticut maintained a steady lead throughout the third. In the final five minutes of the period, the Sun, courtesy of a 17–5 run, went up 21 and essentially put the game out of reach.
Things didn’t improve much in the fourth for the home side; the Mystics have now been outscored 261–227 in three games against the Sun this season.
Washington was led by Walker-Kimbrough (17 points), Hines-Allen and Atkins, both of whom put up 16. Cloud paced the team in helpers with 12. Connecticut got big nights from its two best players, Jones (game-high 31 points and 14 rebounds) and Brionna Jones (21 points, 10 rebounds).
The Mystics travel to the Twin Cities to face the Minnesota Lynx on Saturday. Tip-off is at 8 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on NBATV.
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