After suffering a 21-point defeat like the Washington Mystics did on Sunday night, most teams pause to regroup before their next outing. No matter how demoralizing a loss was, every game offers a new opportunity for redemption — a fresh start, with zeroes across the scoreboard.
Well, unless you’re Monday night’s Washington Mystics, who resumed the “earthquake game” of July 5 with a 15-point lead over the Las Vegas Aces. Washington carried the lead to a 99-70 victory, thereby erasing a blowout loss the night before in Phoenix. Second road game in two days? No problem.
DE E DONNE pic.twitter.com/o6cFw3ysFK
— Washington Mystics (@WashMystics) August 6, 2019
Both teams seemed bewildered by the circumstances of the game and there wasn’t any scoring until the 7:46 mark of the half. The Aces closed the gap to as few as 10 points in the third quarter, but the Mystics pulled away each time their double-digit lead was threatened. A 24-11 fourth quarter wrapped up the decisive win.
For the game overall, Elena Delle Donne led all scorers with 21 points, LaToya Sanders added 18 points and a game-high 7 rebounds and Kristi Toliver and Ariel Atkins rounded out the double-digit scoring with 14 and 10 points, respectively.
The Mystics were also aided by Emma Meesseman’s seven points, which was notable since Meesseman was in Serbia preparing for a EuroBasket Women game when this game began last month.
The defenders didn't want any of that. pic.twitter.com/zKHkqmFnAr
— Washington Mystics (@WashMystics) August 6, 2019
Kelsey Plum’s 17 points led all Aces scorers, though Liz Cambage’s 12 points and A’ja Wilson’s 9 points still held up as the next-best totals even though neither was in action last night.
With the win, the Mystics overtook the Aces for second place and now sit one game behind the Connecticut Sun in the standings.
Up next
The Mystics return home to face the Indiana Fever on Thursday, Aug. 8 (7 p.m. ET, CBS Sports Network).
The Aces host the Chicago Sky on Friday, Aug. 9 (10:30 p.m. ET, CBS Sports Network).