Ariel Atkins scored 20 points for D.C. while Napheesa Collier and Courtney Williams combined to score 28 points for the Lynx.
Like last weekend, the Washington Mystics played a game that had no television audience. So we have to look at the box score and
Washington had a big first half lead over Minnesota though it ultimately ended up being just a 40-35 lead after a late Lynx run. The starters (Brittney Sykes, Ariel Atkins, Karlie Samuelson, Shakira Austin and Stefanie Dolson) all played well. But I was most impressed seeing that Myisha Hines-Allen scored 9 of here 12 points on 100 percent shooting in that half while Julie Vanloo added 4 of her 6 assists off the bench (though she also had 5 turnovers). Vanloo even added 6 points from two three pointers.
Sure, the Mystics will be rebuilding this season, but that doesn’t mean that they have to have a franchise-worst season like the Washington Wizards did over the past several months. If they have a competitive year, you can thank Hines-Allen for getting her groove back and Vanloo for being a steady veteran (and rookie-by-technicality) presence.
Unfortunately, Washington wasn’t able to keep that same momentum going on into the second half. The Lynx finished the third quarter to tie the Mystics 59-all. While Washington led for much of the fourth quarter, Minnesota came back in the final minutes to get the win.
Ariel Atkins led the Mystics with 20 points. For the Lynx, Napheesa Collier scored 15 and Courtney Williams added 13 more.
The Mystics’ preseason is now complete. The first regular season game is next Tuesday when they host the New York Liberty. Tip off is at 7 p.m. ET. See you then.