The Washington Mystics (17-7) are finding their stride at the right time as they secured the best record in the WNBA and climbed to number one in the Eastern Conference on Sunday in front of a sold out home crowd. The Mystics didn’t miss a beat in a dominant 101-78 win over the Minnesota Lynx. Adding to the impressive performance, Emma Meesseman (25 pts.), Elena Delle Donne (23 pts.), and Aerial Powers (20 pts.) became the first trio of Mystics players ever to each score 20+ points in a non-overtime game.
Coach Thibault on the #Mystics win despite injuries: “Given all of the circumstances, that’s one of our better wins of the season.” #Mystics pic.twitter.com/JPjHq7hTdU
— Carita Parks (@CaritaCParks) August 11, 2019
The Mystics added forward Aerial Powers to the starting lineup to replace injured Kristi Toliver. Powers has been a bright spot this season and kept that same energy in her starting role. She hit the first shot of the starting minutes with a pull-up jumper inside the paint before cruising to her 20+ point game.
“If I start or if I don’t start, whenever I get out there, I just try to give all I got,” Powers said. “That means offensively and defensively. I feel like my mentality shouldn’t change no matter when you start or when you play. Come out there hard and give whatever you have to give.”
Powers is just one example of the deep roster the Mystics are working with this season.
According to Delle Donne, the team is going to need to capitalize on their depth as they move forward in hopes of making another finals appearance.
The #Mystics showed how deep their roster is winning by 23 pts. (101-78) without two starters & losing Ariel Atkins in the 2nd Q. I asked Elena Della Donne about the team’s depth: “It’s really important for us. We’re going to need that depth to continue on.” #TogetherDC pic.twitter.com/BgrIFw0RRC
— Carita Parks (@CaritaCParks) August 11, 2019
The Lynx never had a chance to move into the lead. The Mystics dominated all four quarters. One area the Mystics have struggled with is losing steam in the 2nd and 3rd quarters, even in the games they have won. That wasn’t a problem for them in Sunday’s victory. Washington put together a complete game, controlling both the offensive and defensive end of the ball. They shot 54.8% from the field and scored at least 100 points for the third time this season.
The one unfortunate note is the injury to Aerial Atkins in the 2nd quarter. After a collision with Sylvia Fowles, Atkins walked off on her own but was evaluated for a concussion and had X-rays taken on her neck. Her status remains unclear.
The Mystics are back in action at home against last year’s WNBA Finals opponent Seattle Storm on Wednesday, August 14th at 8:00 p.m.