Story By: Erin Zollars
Photos By: Sol Tucker
Washington, D.C–
I have said it several times this season that the Mystics needed to change their 4th quarter offense, tonight it was exactly the same story that I have written about in multiple games the season. The First half Mystics… then fourth quarter Mystics. The results again… another L.
So, when is Eric Thibault going to look at this and say it’s not working at the end of games? This is the second game over a period of a few days where the Mystics have dominated the game but lacked the finish they needed to win. At this point you may as well just finish out the season losing, because this 88-77 loss to the Aces today was a game you should have won.
Jackie Young had 26 points, Chelsea Gray scored 22 and the Las Vegas Aces rallied for their fourth straight victory. This was also the first game that Aja Wilson’s 20 straight games of scoring 20 points came to an end.
For the Mystics, stopping both Wilson and Kelsey Plum had been pregame goal, but they must have really forgotten that Jackie Young still remains one of the best players in the WNBA, but with a supporting cast around her, her scoring like this does not always need to happen. This was also just Chelesa Gray’s 4th game this season after returning from injury.
Stefanie Dolson finished with 23 points and seven rebounds to lead the way for Washington (4-15). Myisha Hines-Allen had 15 points and five boards. Ariel Atkins scored 13 with five assists.
The Mystics have gotten some of the old scoring form back from both Hines-Allen and Adkins that they had in those previous seasons where Elena Delle Donne was a catalyst on the team. She remains away on a season away from basketball and there are real questions as to if she will return next season.
Should the Mystics continue at this pace, they could be set to reunite Aaliyah Edwards with Paige Buckets if she is chosen as the Number 1 pick in the 2025 WNBA draft.
Next up for the Mystics, a road trip that features the “Brink”less LA Sparks and another match-up with the Aces on July 4th in Vegas.
