Guru’s WNBA Report: Washington Whips Seattle to Hit 3-0

 

 

By ROB KNOX (@knoxrob1)

 

Playing its third game in five days of this abbreviated WNBA season, the Washington Mystics used a fast start and some ridiculously torrid shooting to cruise to an easy 89-71victory over the Seattle Storm in a highly anticipated showdown of unbeaten squads at IMG Academy Thursday night.

 

While it’s too early for statement performances, what with this being the third contest of a 22-game season, the reigning WNBA champions’ dazzling display through three games has snapped everybody to attention inside and outside of the wubble thanks to an ocean of offensive options, crisp ball movement, and rock-solid defense.

  Seattle is one of the preseason favorites to win the 2020 WNBA title.

 

“This is a new squad,” said Washington guard Ariel Atkins, who celebrated her 24th birthday with a game-high 22 points. “We have the same coach with a few pieces that are still here (from last year). We did a good job of listening to the game plan and find ways to make it harder for them offensively.”  

 

The key ingredient in the Mystics’ early season success has been a sacred sisterhood that’s fueled a winning chemistry. 

 

Players are close on and off the court. They have each other’s backs, have fun during video game tournaments in their hotel rooms, enjoy playing and lock in on details during games. 

 

More importantly, they don’t care who scores or gets the most shots during games.

 

The Mystics, like many in the league this season, are motivated because they are honoring the memory of Breonna Taylor each time they take the floor. 

 

Competing without the usual throng of cheering fans in attendance hasn’t bothered Atkins and the Mystics, who are 3-0 for the second time in three years.

 

“It forces us to bring our own energy,” Atkins said. “We already have the all energy and motivation we need to put our best foot forward every game we play.

 

“This year is all about the #SayHerName campaign. I feel obligated because I have a platform. A lot of people may not think it’s that big, but people do watch us play. 

 

“There’s a lot of young kids who watch us play, and I feel like it’s my job to show them a way to use their platform. 

 

“I’m not a very vocal person all the time, but when I do have the chance to speak, I like to make sure that what comes out of my mouth does good to the world; It gives

justice to those who deserve justice.”

 

In finishing with a season-best 15 3-pointers, Mystic missiles rained down from all angles with astonishing fury and relentless accuracy. 

 

Essence Carson from the corner. 

 

Leilani Mitchell from downtown. 

 

Emma Meesseman from uptown. 

 

Shay Peddy from here. 

 

Kiara Leslie from there. 

 

Atkins was the chief sniper for the Mystics as she tied a career-high with five 3-pointers. She scored 11 points in the first quarter and finished with her seventh career game with at least 20 points.

 

She became the latest Washington player to hit for at least 20 points, joining Hines-Allen and Aerial Powers, who had 27 points each in games against Indiana and Connecticut, respectively to begin the season.

 

Atkins is the Mystics third different leading scorer in as many games. Through three games, Washington has scored 284 points, the third highest total through three games in the 24-year history of the WNBA.

 

“She’s healthy this year,” Washington head coach Mike Thibault said of Atkins, who leads the WNBA with 11 3-pointers. “Last year was a struggle for her. She had a leg issue that we really didn’t talk about. During the offseason, she played in Australia and got finished early which allowed her to come to D.C. early in the pandemic and then go to Texas to get her body together. When your body is good, everything else starts to click.”

 

Roaring to a 15-4 lead, the Mystics were a picture of clean health, enabling them to ignore the temporary inconvenience of a 2-0 deficit – Seattle’s only lead of the game. 

 

In leading by double figures for the final 29 minutes of the contest, Washington treated those watching to an incendiary shooting show.  One that left fans breathless, the Storm startled, and the rest of the league slightly frightened. 

 

Washington has won two of their first three games by at least 15 points, marking the third time in franchise history that the Mystics have won at least two of their first three games by 15 or more points (2019, 2016).

 

Hines-Allen continued her strong start to the season with 17 points and a team-high seven rebounds. She has hit for double figures in all three games. Mitchell added 12 points and six assists. Meesseman scored 10 points while Powers finished with nine points and eight rebounds. Powers scored her 1,000th career WNBA point during the game.

 

Breanna Stewart had a double-double (15 points, 10 rebounds) to lead the Storm. Sami Whitcomb added 11 points. 

 

“The team is winning without Emma having her best game yet so that’s probably a good sign in some ways,” Thibault said. “They know one person doesn’t have to carry the load. It helps that they are willing to share. This team truly loves each other. It helps when you have good people to start with and that’s the biggest thing.”