WNBA Game Report: Cloud Shines During Washington Surge

By ROB KNOX (@knoxrob1)

 

WASHINGTON – Any discussion of the WNBA’s Most Improved Player award had better include fourth year guard Natasha Cloud. 

 

The former Saint Joseph’s Hawks star out of Broomall from suburban Philadelphia was a bundle of disruption in helping the Washington Mystics continue their winning ways. 

The two charges taken complemented her sterling eight-point, four-rebound, two-steal and two-assist performance during the Mystics 93-80 victory over the Dallas Wings at Capital One Arena Sunday afternoon. 

 

While individual accolades have never motivated Cloud, who has displayed the essence of a champion along with an undeniable hatred of losing this season, she has elevated her special game. 

The affable Cloud worked hard during the off season to improve all aspects of her game. 

 

Her development into a confident leader and clutch scorer has helped make the Mystics a legit threat to win their first championship in franchise history. 

 

“For me personally, that was a goal coming into the season,” Cloud said. “I worked with our sport psychologist and I didn’t care if I was coming off the bench or if I am starting, it didn’t matter. I just wanted to help. 

“I knew it was my year to take it up a notch. With the coaches making certain decisions about the team coming into this year, it made it clear that they had full faith in me and in what I can achieve and contribute.”

 

Playing with savage and unrelenting fury, Cloud is averaging career highs in points (9.1), assists (4.6), rebounds (3.3) and minutes (26.1). She is also shooting a career best 46.5 percent from the field and 42.9 percent from 3-point distance. Cloud had scored in double figures in four straight games before this game. 

 

The Mystics’ sixth straight victory and second 20-win season in franchise history featured a career-high 26 points from rookie guard Ariel Atkins along with a second-quarter scoring explosion from Elena Delle Donne, who finished with 23 points and seven rebounds. 

 

Delle Donne has scored 20 or more points in six of Washington’s last seven games. 

 

Some of the air was let out of the victory as Atkins, who made a career best five 3-pointers, didn’t finish the game. She landed hard and stayed on the floor for a few minutes before being helped off the floor midway through the fourth quarter. 

Atkins wasn’t available for postgame interviews and the Mystics will issue a statement on her status for the remaining of the regular season.

 

“We got our composure back the last five minutes and finished the game the right way,” Washington head coach Mike Thibault said. “We got some really good offensive performances and Ariel had her career high. We hope she is okay physically. I don’t know for sure yet. She basically landed on her hip so we will not know right away.”

 

Dallas dropped its eighth consecutive game despite a team-high 17 points from Skylar Diggins-Smith and a double-double from Allisha Gray (12 points, 12 rebounds). 

The Wings gallantly sliced a 22-point third quarter deficit to 77-71 with 7 minutes, 20 minutes remaining. That was as close as Dallas would get as huge 3-point baskets from Atkins and Kristi Toliver down the stretch helped the Mystics remain perfect since returning from the all-star break.  

 

The second quarter was the difference as Washington outscored Dallas 31-17. 

 

Aerial Powers scored eight consecutive points during the period to help forge a 28-28 tie. Then, Delle Donne went berserk. She scored 13 points in four minutes to help the Mystics open a 51-37 halftime bulge. That was part of a 25-9 Mystics burst to finish the half.

 

Waves of applause from delirious fans rained down after each Delle Donne 3-pointer went through the net. She looked like Allie Quigley as she effortlessly drained the daggers. While the offense was spectacular, it was the Mystics defense, fueled by Cloud, Powers and Latoya Sanders (nine rebounds, four blocked shots) that made the difference. 

 

“We had a come to Jesus meeting when we returned from the all-star break,” Cloud said. “We really focused on our defense and focused on being a defensive-minded team first and allowing our offense to come from that. We’ve all brought in to that. We’re rolling and going to try and keep it going.” 

 

Life is awesome for the Mystics, who recently won two games in one day when the WNBA office awarded them a victory over Las Vegas, who forfeited its August 3 contest, a few hours before beating Phoenix on the road last Tuesday. 

 

Washington (20-11 overall) remains a game behind Atlanta (21-10) for the No. 2 seed in the upcoming WNBA playoffs. The Mystics are currently third and two games ahead of Los Angeles (18-13). This was Washington’s third consecutive game scoring at least 90 points.

 

“Whatever this team needs me to do then the accolades are whatever,” Cloud said. “As long as we’re winning that’s all that matters to me. We’re playing well right now. Whatever I am being considered for is a reflection of this team and the successful positions they put me in. This league is wide open this year and we’re good enough where this could be our year to bring the championship back to D.C. Everybody believes that.”

If it happens, that would be the second major championship brought to Capital One following the NHL Washington Capitals capturing the Stanley Cup last Spring.

 

TOLIVER SPEAKS: Prior to the start of the game, Toliver addressed the crowd with the white supremacist rally occurring near the White House, which is a 3-point shot away from Capital One Arena.

 

“We feel our purpose is to love and respect people of all backgrounds, we believe bigotry is never justified, we believe in living in true equality, and we believe in the courage to speak out,” Toliver said during her speech.

 “Our message against these beliefs and actions remain as strong today as it did a year ago. It is all the more important that we together use our power for good. Continue to acknowledge these issues in your daily lives — speak, act, and live with compassion.”

 

NOTES: A few hours after the game, Dallas President and CEO Greg Bibb announced that head coach Fred Williams was relieved of his duties effective immediately … Assistant Coach Taj McWilliams-Franklin, who restrained Williams during a heated postgame discussion with Bibb, has been named interim head coach for the remainder of the season … Despite its losing streak, Dallas has a one-game lead over Las Vegas (13-18) for the final playoff spot, with each having three games remaining … Dallas hosts Las Vegas Friday … The Mystics will play their final game at Capital One Arena Friday against Los Angeles … They will play their playoff games at the Smith Center on George Washington’s campus and move into their new arena in 2019 …