Mystics Keep Rolling (8-9-26)
By: Jemesia Jefferson
All Photo Credit: Riley Smith-LMS Network
WASHINGTON D.C.—The Mystics walked into Sunday’s matchup against the Phoenix Mercury on a 6-game win streak. The team hadn’t lost since their July 20th matchup against the Golden State Valkyries where they pulled out a tough one on the road. The resilience and defensive intensity shown in that game have made them the only team undefeated (4-0) since the All-Star break.
Winning is always a team effort but Shakira Austin has been the standout in this stretch. So it was no surprise when she started the games with 4 straight points. From there, the teams began trading buckets. There was an early three from Michaela Onyenwere and some tough finishes by Kiki Iriafen. On the other side, Alyssa Thomas couldn’t be stopped on her way to the rim and Kelsey Plum knocked down a shot or two. The first quarter ended with Washington leading 21-20.
The Mystics started to dominate in the second quarter whereShakira Austin matched her first-quarter points (8) with ease. In the midst, Onyenwere, Cotie McMahon and Lauren Betts had timely buckets and defense of their own. The three combined for 15 of the Mystics’ 29 second-quarter points. Mystics ended the half leading 50-37.
The dominance continued into the third as Iriafen and Sonia Citron started the quarter on a 9-0 run. Phoenix attempted to get going but Washington continued to have an answer. The lead ballooned to 29 points at this point, Coach Sydney Johnson looked to his bench. He closed the quarter with an all-rookie lineup of Betts, McMahon, Alicia Flòrez, Cassandre Propser and Angela Dugalic. Phoenix was able to put a few more points on the board but it wasn’t enough to dig themselves out of the hole.
The starters for both teams began the 4th quarter — except for Kelsey Plum who went out with an injury in the first half. Mercury continued to show signs of life but Washington continued to have an answer. Around the halfway point of the quarter, both coaches seemed to agree the game was over and cleared their benches. Lucy Olsen (WAS) and Marta Suarez (PHX) saw the floor for the first time. The game was still competitive and fun. There were two huge crowd pops when Olsen knocked down a couple of threes. Mystics won, 95-75.
Washington will go on the road to Las Vegas for their next two games. Earlier in the win streak, the Mystics beat the Aces on a Shakira Austin putback. If Washington can win these next two, they will be on a franchise-best 9-game win streak. These games will not be easy with the Aces coming off some brutal losses but the Mystics have a new weapon with Betnijah Laney-Hamilton added to the fold.
