The Mystics and Dream met for their third and final game of the regular season. The Dream were missing All Stars Tiffany Hayes and Angel McCoughtry, and as a result had no real response to Washington’s scoring sprees. The Mystics controlled the game from start to finish, uwinning 93-65. Washington was led by Elena Delle Donne with 28 points. The Dream were led by Elizabeth Williams with 14.

Game Notes

EDD was (almost) perfect

Still sporting a face mask to protect her broken nose, Elena Delle Donne picked apart the Dream’s defense with apparent ease. She shot an incredible 10-of-13 from the floor for 28 points, and lead the team with 8 rebounds.

Atkins out, Powers steps up

Ariel Atkins missed today’s game with achilles tendinitis. Aerial Powers started in her place and provided relentless energy on both ends of the floor, despite taking a few hard hits (including a flagrant 1 hit to the face from Brittany Sykes in the third quarter).

Powers finished the game with 17 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals. Having all three of Powers, Atkins, and Shatori Walker-Kimbrough (who is emerging as a tenacious and versatile defender) gives Washington plenty of insurance on the wing.

Emma Meesseman adjusts

After missing all of the 2018 season and the beginning of the 2019 season, Meesseman seems to still be figuring out her role in the Elena Delle Donne-and-Kristi Toliver-led version of the Mystics.

Typically known for her out-of-this world efficiency, Meesseman shot just 1-of-6 from the field. But where she really stood out was as facilitator and defender. She finished the game with 6 rebounds and 6 assists, and while one shouldn’t read too much into a defensive performance against a likely non-playoff team missing their best player, Meesseman was locked in on that end of the floor, corralling ball handlers and blocking two shots.

Leaning into these skills will be particularly useful for Meesseman as Coach Mike Thibault experiments with ultra-big lineups that feature her, Tianna Hawkins, and Delle Donne.

Bonus: Look at that ball movement!