The winning streak continues for the Washington Mystics as they still sit at the #2 spot in the Eastern Conference. It’s been a season of streaks for the Mystics so far. In June and July, we saw a five-game winning streak, three-game losing streak, and now its four in a row after Wednesday night’s win.
In a six-point victory over the Phoenix Mercury (10-9), the Washington Mystics (13-6) picked up right where they left off heading into the All-Star Break.
The only loss any Mystics have had since July 13, was Elena Delle Donne, Kristi Toliver, Head Coach Mike Thibault, and Team Delle Donne’s three-point loss to Team Wilson in the WNBA All-Star game Saturday night.
In other words.. Washington is rolling.
Prior to the break, the Mystics won three straight including an overtime victory over the Indiana Fever (6-15) bbefore a dominant 28 point win over the Atlanta Dream (5-15) heading into All-Star Weekend.
Kristi Toliver’s game-high 32 points led the Mystics past the Minnesota Lynx (10-10) in the final game before the weekend. Toliver, Natasha Cloud, and Elena Delle Donne each finished in double figures in the win.
Back on their home court Wednesday, in a huge win for standings, the Mystics picked up right where they left off. The Mercury came into the game also on a three-game winning streak prior to the All-Star weekend.
As we have seen several times this year, it was another strong offensive showing for the Mystics. Elena Delle Donne led the scoring with a game-high 33 points as Kristi Toliver added 25. Aerial Powers and Natasha Cloud contributed 13 and 12 points, respectively.
Wednesday nights win marked the 14th game this season the Mystics scored 80 points or more, nine of which were 90 plus point games.
However, it was a strong showing on both sides, in what felt like at times, an all-star game with the plays we saw on both ends of the floor. Brittney Griner led Phoenix with 30 points. Leilani Mitchell added 28 as DeWanna Bonner finished with 25.
The difference.. other than the big three, the rest of the Mercury combined for 10 points the entire game, whereas nearly every player on the Mystics that got on the floor chipped in with scoring.
Some plays down the stretch including a huge block by Elena Delle Donne on Mitchell’s drive to the basket late in the fourth, helped Washington secure the win.
The win moves the Mystics one game closer to passing the Connecticut Sun (14-6) in conference standings.
The streak continues for Washington as they prepare for their next game Friday on the road in a WNBA Finals rematch against the Seattle Storm (12-9). Tip-off at the Angel of the Winds Arena is scheduled for 10:00pm ET.
Renee is a reporter and analyst with ESPN covering college athletics. She also hosts a daily show called "Locked on Wizards" with the Locked on Podcast network.