The Washington Mystics (13-6) defeated the Phoenix Mercury (10-9) 99-93 on Tuesday evening in Washington, D.C. The Mystics were led by Elena Delle Donne’s season-high 33 points and Kristi Toliver’s 25 points.
Brittney Griner scored 30 points to lead Phoenix, while Leilani Mitchell scored 28 points and DeWanna Bonner added 25.
HISTORY! @brittneygriner (30), @LeilaniM5 (28) and @DEEBONNER24 (25) become the first trio of teammates in #WNBA history to tally at least 25+ points each in a game #WatchMeWork pic.twitter.com/vg2SDtjLaf
— WNBA (@WNBA) July 31, 2019
This contest also earned a spot in the WNBA record books: It was the first time that five players scored 25 or more points in the same game.
The Mercury-Mystics game featured 5 25-pt scorers. According to @EliasSports, this was the 1st game to have 5 players score 25 points in a game in WNBA history. PHX is the 1st team to have 3 diff players score at least 25 pts in a single game in WNBA history. pic.twitter.com/Lxa3q0lKZu
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 31, 2019
Though the Mystics won this game by just six points, Washington never trailed from start to finish. In fact, the Mystics led by as many as 23 points during the third quarter after Delle Donne scored 15 points on 6-of-7 shooting in that period.
.@De11eDonne's got 1️⃣5️⃣ points JUST THIS QUARTER.
— Washington Mystics (@WashMystics) July 31, 2019
AND IT'S NOT EVEN OVER YET. pic.twitter.com/HF8UbzYdEb
In most circumstances, a Mystics opponent would throw the towel in and wait to make amends in for the next regular-season game. However, the Mercury managed to cut the deficit down to just three points as late as 2:29 left in the game.
Though Washington got hot in the third quarter, Mitchell got hot as well for the Mercury, shooting 3-of-4 from the three-point line. She scored 13 points in the period and 25 in the second half.
What a night! Take a look back at all 8⃣ threes from @LeilaniM5's record-tying performance #WatchMeWork pic.twitter.com/dVHExRYikU
— WNBA (@WNBA) July 31, 2019
Mitchell ultimately shot 8-of-12 from the three-point line, tying a WNBA record for most threes made in a single game.
The 8 threes Leilani made matches the @WNBA record for most threes in a game.
— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) July 31, 2019
It has been done 7 times, four of which are by Mercury players. pic.twitter.com/xQODHJKgmD
Mitchell wasn’t the only Mercury player to keep Phoenix in position to steal the game. Bonner added 10 points in the final quarter, while Griner stayed as a consistent scoring presence from start to finish. In fact, Griner shot 14-of-18 from the field, giving Washington defenders like Emma Meesseman and LaToya Sanders fits all night.
If there was something that held Phoenix back from winning the game, it was bench player scoring. Phoenix’s reserves scored 10 combined points while Washington’s scored 27. Ultimately, Washington’s depth came to the rescue, and it ended up being enough to keep them tied with the Las Vegas Aces for second place in the league.
Despite the loss, the Phoenix Mercury made WNBA history. Griner, Bonner and Mitchell became the first trio on the same team to score 25 points each in a WNBA game.
HISTORY! @brittneygriner (30), @LeilaniM5 (28) and @DEEBONNER24 (25) become the first trio of teammates in #WNBA history to tally at least 25+ points each in a game #WatchMeWork pic.twitter.com/vg2SDtjLaf
— WNBA (@WNBA) July 31, 2019
Up next
The Mystics begin a three-game road trip this weekend, starting with a match against the Seattle Storm on Friday, Aug 2. Tipoff is at 10 p.m. ET.
The Mercury are back in action on Thursday, Aug. 1 when they travel east to play the Connecticut Sun. Tipoff is at 7 p.m. ET.