“Honestly, sometimes I don’t pay attention to them at all,” Mystics coach Eric Thibault said of Atkins’ contributions. “…She saves a lot of plays. He’s a champ, man. She makes winning plays. He is a champion. He is a gold medal winner. That’s why everyone in that locker room has so much respect for him.
These came throughout Wednesday’s game, especially in the fourth quarter. With less than a minute left and the Fever on a 14–0 run, Atkins hit a pull-up jumper from the elbow while falling down to put the Mystics ahead 87–82. Then, after Clark made two free throws and the game became a three-point game again, Atkins inbounded to steal a jump ball that was won by Fever center Aliyah Boston. Atkins went down the court to take possession of the ball with 16.9 seconds remaining and Julie Vanloo hit two free throws to seal the win.
The Mystics (6-17) ended a two-game skid and have only two matchups left before next week’s All-Star Game and the upcoming Olympic break. They host Las Vegas on Sunday and Phoenix on Tuesday. The Mystics are 6-5 after losing a franchise-record 12 consecutive games to begin the season.
“We’re figuring each other out,” Atkins said. “But I also think a big thing (is)…we are really listening as well. We may talk, but we are also listening.”
It was Atkins’ fifth 20-point game of the season and fell three points shy of his season high. He also recorded three rebounds, three assists, three steals and one block.
“Just his aggressiveness,” Mystics center Stephanie Dolson said. “In general, she’s doing a great job of staying consistent. And when she’s not scoring, she’s still doing little things. But today especially, she did a really good job of finishing plays, being the first player to face the loose ball. In the end, he saved it for us. …And then defensively, she was incredible.
Washington turned in one of his most complete performances of the season through three quarters. The roster remains shorthanded with Brittany Sykes (foot), Shakira Austin (hip) and Carly Samuelson (hand). A flurry of turnovers left an early hole for the Fever (9-14), who trailed 26-17 after the first quarter and 51-37 at halftime. For the game, Indiana’s 23 turnovers were the second most by a Mystics opponent this season, and Washington’s 23 points off turnovers fell three points shy of a season high.
The Mystics’ offense operated at an efficient clip with 11 assists on 12 first-quarter baskets and generated back-cut layups all afternoon.
Dolson finished with 13 points, six assists and five rebounds, while Wanlu – who harassed fellow rookie Clark to the extent that Wanlu was the recipient of a two-handed push – added another 13 points. Aaliyah Edwards put up 12 points and six rebounds off the bench, and Shatori Walker-Kimbro continued her strong play as a reserve with 10 points and a beautiful alley-oop to Dolson over Clark for a three-point play. .
“When we play our offense with really good speed and movement, it can catch guards, in particular, off balance,” Dolson said. “…So whenever they’re cutting, I’m watching.”
Clark received the exemption after averaging 29 points (including five threes), 13 assists, five rebounds, five steals and three blocked shots. She became the first player in WNBA history with more than 25 points, more than 10 assists, more than five rebounds, more than five steals and more than five three-pointers. He pulled the Fever back into possession in the final minute as the Mystics began to have problems with their ball security, but Indiana could not complete the rally.
The fakirs kept the remaining fever relatively under control. Kelsey Mitchell had 15 points, and Nalisa Smith had 11 points off the bench. Dolson and Edwards cost Boston the No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft. She managed only six points with five turnovers and five fouls.
,“We played with good strength and we made them feel us,” Thibault said. “Thought we were disciplined in our coverage against not only Kaitlyn but everyone down there.
,Everyone was just locked in and figuring out what they do well.
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