When it comes time for the WNBA season there are going to be a ton of ups and downs for any team.
For the Washington Mystics (9-7) without Elena Delle Donne (out with a left sprain ankle) and Shakira Austin (out with a left hip strain) they are going to have to ride out the rollercoaster.
Even though the team have a Next Woman Up Mentality, they weren’t able to figure out a way to defeat a Dallas Wings (8-8) squad that outsized their competition, as it was a close final score of 89-72.
There were a ton of impressive individual performances, including that of Texas-native Ariel Atkins. It is always special for Atkins to return to Texas, where she played High School in Duncanville, and eventually graduated and accepted to the University of Texas to be able to play in front of friends and family.
Washington Mystics fans are encouraged to check out the following video featuring thoughts from Head Coach Eric Thibault, Ariel Atkins and Shatori Walker-Kimbrough...video is compliments of the Washington Mystics:
Ariel definitely showed up big time, as she led the Mystics with her 18 points on 7-of-16 shooting from the field, and adding two rebounds, two assist and three steals.
There is going to be a special milestone upcoming for Atkins, as she is just two three-pointers away from tying Ivory Latta for the Mystics franchise record in threes made with 308.
Some of the others on the team that impressed in the game included Brittney Sykes, being a woman of many stats, as she finished with 15 points, five rebounds, three assist and three steals.
Sykes is on a bit of a roll, as she holds the longest active streak in the W with 25 games, with at least one steal, while also being second in the league with 2.0 steals per game.
Also impressing is Tianna Hawkins, as she recorded her second double-double of the season with 10 points and 10 rebounds. This is the fourth double-double in Hawkins’ career, and thus far she has set a season-high in double-doubles.
Rounding out the impressive performers is Natasha Cloud, as she added seven points, six assists and three rebounds. Tash is amongst the top players in the W, as she sits in fourth with 6.1 assists per games.
The good news for the Mystics is that they are going to return to the Washington D.C. area have some time to figure out the formula for success prior to their next game at the Entertainment and Sports Arena against the Indiana Fever on July 9. The tip between the Mystics and Fever is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
For more information on the Washington Mystics fans are encouraged to click on the link seen here: