Balanced Mystics Take Down Chicago, 75-64
Chicago brought two All-Stars and the best three-point shooting percentage in the WNBA to the Verizon Center court last night, but left with an eleven-point loss, 75-64.
Mystics' head coach Julie Plank said shutting down Chicago's three point game and shooting efficiency -- the Sky shot only 37.7 field goal percentage from the field -- played into how her team approached Thursday's game.
"That was definitely a focus," Plank said. "We rely a lot on our defense. That's when we get out and run in transition, and that's definitely key for us."
The win has significant playoff implications. The Mystics and Sky are currently third and fourth in the Eastern Conference respectively; Washington's win Thursday gives the team a 2-1 head-to-head edge in the season series, although Chicago has a chance to even it when the Mystics pay them a visit in September.
The Mystics also saw a slight shakeup in the names at the top of the scoresheet. Forward Crystal Langhorne led Washington with 16 points, and guard Matee Ajavon contributed 14 points off the bench. Where are the usual suspects? Well, Lindsey Harding squeezed between the two with 15, and All-Star Alana Beard registered only 8 points, though she contributed 4 steals.
"I'd love to play all eleven," Plank said of her roster. "I think going there in the future that we need to do that." The only Mystic who did not enter the game Thursday was Kristen Mann, who was added to the roster on June 16 after Marissa Coleman was sidelined with an injury.
The Mystics finish their six-game home stand Sunday against the 4-14 Sacramento Monarchs, though Beard will be a starter in Saturday's WNBA All-Star Game in Connecticut and will likely miss the game. Beard is currently seventh in the league in points averaged per game -- but as they showed on Thursday, it looks like the Mystics are well-prepared to win without her.