For the first time ever, the Washington Mystics are the WNBA Champions. As the buzzer went off and confetti flew in the air, the Mystics erupted in celebration. With an 89-78 victory, they finally completed their final and biggest accomplishment of the season. Mystics fans have waited over two decades for this moment.
The best of five-game series versus the Connecticut Sun was the perfect ending to the Mystics’ historic season. The game was tight through the first three quarters, but it was not until late in the fourth that the Mystics and their fans could start to breath a slight sigh of relief. Up by 10 with less than a minute left, the sellout crowd began to chant “Run It Back”.
Those three words have captivated all DC fans including the Washington Wizards who have been heavily supporting the Mystics through their chase for redemption since last year’s disappointing finish to the franchise’s first-ever WNBA Finals appearance.
For the only Mystic to ever win a league title, when asked what was on her mind early in the fourth, Kristi Toliver responded, “All I said before the game was, ‘Regret nothing,’ ” Toliver said.
“..And we didn’t regret anything,” Elena Delle Donne added.
After the Sun, barely escaped elimination with a must-win game Tuesday night at home by four, it was obvious game five was going to be another down to the wire finish, but the #1 seed did as they have done all season.
The Mystics have had several players step up at the right time all season and Thursday night was no different.
The 2019 WNBA Playoffs MVP Emma Meesseman has been a pivotal role in the Mystics postseason, especially once teammate and regular-season MVP Elena Delle Donne suffered a herniated disk in her back that caused back spasms early in Game 2.
According to Mystics Head Coach Mike Thibault, Emma Meesseman was, “the missing piece.”
The 6′ 4″ Belgian center averaged 18.7ppg, 6.3 RPG in games two, three, and four matching up with the Sun’s standout center Jonquel Jones.
Thursday night, the Suns went on an 8-0 third-quarter run to take a 53-44 lead. Meesseman responded by scoring 11 points to tie the game at 62 apiece. She finished with a team-high 22 as Delle Donne added a near double-double with 21 points, nine rebounds. Kristi Toliver and Natasha Cloud each chipped in with 18.
For now, the team is rightfully enjoying this moment. The fun continues for the Mystics with another championship celebration Friday afternoon at Entertainment and Sports Arena before players head off to join their international teams.
Congratulations to the Washington Mystics on winning the 2019 WNBA Championship!
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.