The night began with high expectations and excitement as the Washington Mystics faced the Seattle Storm in a rematch of last year’s WNBA Finals. The outcome was supposed to be different this time but instead the Mystics experienced the same disappointment of losing to the Storm 74-71.
#Mystics fell to the Seattle Storm in a heartbreaking loss; Kristi Toliver was ejected early in the 1st Q & the team executed a media blackout. It was a wild night! More in my postgame wrap up ⬇️ #TogetherDC pic.twitter.com/xqKpstBCVY
— Carita Parks (@CaritaCParks) June 15, 2019
In a strange start, Kristi Tolliver was ejected in the 1st quarter after receiving an early technical foul at the seven-minute mark followed by another tech with 31 seconds left in the first. Although the Mystics were trailing most of the quarter, they turned it around late in the first prior to Toliver leaving the game, outscoring Seattle through the 3rd quarter.
Coach Thibault on Kristi Tolliver being ejected early in the 1st Q after two quick technicals: “It’s a huge loss.” #Mystics pic.twitter.com/pP3G8AtQDT
— Carita Parks (@CaritaCParks) June 15, 2019
The Mystics were in control most of the game but there were signs that the team was beginning to fall apart as time moved off the clock in the 4th quarter. There were key missed shots and turnovers that gave the Storm opportunities to chip away at the Mystics commanding 13-point lead. Seattle’s Jewell Loyd scored 14 points in the last quarter to help solidify the Storm’s late rally.
The Mystics had an opportunity to tie the game and go into overtime. Tianna Hawkins saved the erratic inbound pass from Aerial Powers who was able to recover the ball, and attempt a running layup but the shot didn’t fall, ending the Mystics hopes of revenge against the Storm.
Washington has lost two in a row bringing their record to 4-3.
Aerial Powers misses opportunity to tie the game after Tianna Hawkins saves the play. #Mystics fans leaving in disappointment. Not how the Mystics wanted this rematch to go. Looks like the Storm still has their number. #MysticsStorm #TogetherDC pic.twitter.com/YcFxVunzQB
— Carita Parks (@CaritaCParks) June 15, 2019