WNBA 2018: Mystics quiet the first-place Storm, 100-77

August 9, 2018, Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C. – With five straight wins, including one due to a forfeit by the Las Vegas Aces – the Washington Mystics are now in third place in the WNBA standings after clinching a playoff berth in an away game over Phoenix two days ago.

The Mystics might have caught the Seattle Storm in middle of their third road game in three days, but nevertheless, the way they were able to dominate the visitors was impressive and unexpected.

From the opening bell, with Mystics’ Natasha Cloud making her first of two three-point shots, Washington never trailed or tied, even taking a 27-point lead at the one-minute mark of the third period.  They had 11 more field goal attempts than Seattle, making 57 percent of them.  They were able to attack in the paint, scoring 36 points versus the Storm’s 24.  They were accurate shooting from the 3-pt range, scoring 12 of 26 attempts (46 percent).

Forward Elena Delle Donne was the game’s high scorer with 30. Center Latoya Sanders was perfect, six of six, in her field goal attempts, and five of five from the charity line, while grabbing 12 rebounds.

The Storm’s Jewell Loyd and Natasha Howard had 15 points each.

Photos: Washington Mystics 100, Seattle Storm 77
all photos by Kwai Chan / Meniscus Magazine