Amid a franchise-best seven-game winning streak, the Washington Mystics flew to Las Vegas for a tilt with the 22-11 Aces. Despite a valiant effort through three quarters, Washington had no answer for A’ja Wilson, whose 26 points propelled Las Vegas to an 86-76 win.
The Mystics’ trio of Shakira Austin, Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron combined for 17 of the team’s 19 first-quarter points. But they had no answer for Jackie Young, the talented Aces guard who scored 13 points behind three long balls to give
her squad a 22-19 edge after one frame.
In her first game as a Mystic, Betnijah Laney-Hamilton scored her first bucket in the second quarter to give her new squad a 26-24 lead. Citron scored six more in the quarter as the sides entered halftime tied at 41.
Wilson and Chelsea Gray both reached double figures early in the third quarter as Las Vegas opened a six-point advantage.
Whenever the Aces flirted with a big run, Citron and Austin had answers to keep Washington close. That duo had combined for 33 of the Mystics’ 60 points entering the final quarter as they looked to erase a narrow 63-60 deficit with their winning streak on the line.
Washington’s offense sputtered to open the fourth, and Wilson took advantage. The reigning MVP scored five straight to give Las Vegas a nine-point cushion — its largest of the night to that point.
Austin’s 20th point brought Washington within six in the final minutes. But it wasn’t enough to combat Wilson’s 26-point showing, as the Mystics lost their first game since July 18.
