The Mystics picked up their second-straight win over the Sky in a 93-77 victory on Friday night.

Elena Delle Donne scored 30 points including 22 in the first half as Washington established an early double-digit lead. The Mystics pushed the ball at every opportunity and generated quality shot attempts on nearly every possession in the first half. They shot 63.2 percent from the field and 60 percent from deep as they took a 25 point lead into halftime.

The Sky changed the tempo of the game in the second half by pressing more often. The shift kept Washington from getting up and down the floor and allowed Chicago to get back into the game. After giving up 64 points in the first half, the Sky held the Mystics to three points in the first six minutes of the third quarter.

Chicago was able to cut the lead down to single digits in the fourth quarter, but Delle Donne and Ariel Atkins hit big shots in the fourth quarter to pull away and seal Washington’s second-straight victory over Chicago and improve to 8-5 on the season. Their victory, coupled with Connecticut’s loss to Atlanta, vaults Washington into first place in the East standings.

Takeaways

Elena. Delle. Donne.

30 points in 32 minutes to go along with 10 rebounds and 6 assists. Yeah, that’ll do, Elena. That’ll do.

Monique Currie settles things down

The Sky outscored the Mystics 26-12 in the third quarter, and it could have been even worse if not for Currie hitting back-to-back and-ones to stop a 14-3 run and get the Mystics out of their offensive rut. It’s little things like that which can keep a storm from turning into a downpour, and that’s exactly what you get from a 13-year veteran like Currie.

Tayler Hill takes another step forward

Hill had some nice moments in her second game back. She had 5 points and 2 assists to give the team a nice spark in the second quarter as they stretched out their lead. She didn’t have the same success when she re-entered the game in the third quarter. She had a bad turnover and had her shot blocked. She should find some more consistency as she regains her form.

Next up: The Mystics return to action on Tuesday as they host the Connecticut Sun at 7 p.m. Eastern Time.