Close but not close enough.
Just a couple months ago, the Mystics had Elena Delle Donne and played in the WNBA playoffs. Now, they look much more like a lottery team. After 5 straight losses (counting back to the preseason), the Mystics headed to L.A. to face the Sparks that also started the season win-less. At the end of this match at least one of the two would have something to show for in the W column.
The game was closely fought. The first quarter ended 23-24 for the Sparks, and a low-scoring second quarter saw the Mystics take a narrow 36-32 lead going to the locker-rooms. At the end of three quarters the game was tied 55-55. From that point on the Mystics never led. The Sparks opened a 58-65 lead with about four minutes left, the Mystics came close after some free throws and two baskets by Edwards to cut the deficit down to 62-65. The Sparks took a time-out but Edwards made a basket to cut it down to 64-65 after missing the and-1 opportunity to tie. The score then hung around at 66-67 from the 1:24 mark with both teams committing unforced errors. The Sparks’ Lexie Brown ultimately knocked down some free throws with 15 seconds and the Sparks escaped with a 68-70 victory.
Atkins had just 9 points in 34 long minutes, but also 6 steals. Edwards added 10 points off the bench. Vanloo was a +10 in her 30 minutes. Everybody else was negative in plus-minus.
For the Sparks, Lexie Brown had 20 points in 40 (!) minutes.
Next, the Mystics play the Mercury in Phoenix on Thursday.