Mystics vs. Sparks final score: Despite a strong game from Ariel Atkins, Washington falls to Los Angeles, 81-64

The Mystics struggles continue with a 81-64 loss to the Los Angeles Sparks. This is the team’s first six game losing streak since 2016.

Ariel Atkins had a strong game with 20 points, seven rebounds, and two assists. Atkins had been struggling, so seeing a masterful performance from her was a relief.

But it was not close to enough. Emma Meesseman, Tianna Hawkins, and Leilani Mitchell all struggled to score, shooting a combined 9-27, and there was not much help coming from the bench. Atkins despite scoring 16 in the first half was held to just four points in the second half. Myisha Hines-Allen had a solid 10 point, six rebound performance but struggled with foul trouble.

The Mystics started to make a comeback in the third quarter, cutting the lead to eight. But stopping this absolutely loaded Sparks team from scoring was going to be close to impossible under the best of circumstances. The Mystics needed to score enough to keep up, and much like their last few games they simply could not find ways to put the ball in the hoop.

The Sparks gave a strong team effort, with five double-digit scorers and seven players dishing at least two assists. Riquna Williams led the way, scoring 13 points off the bench.

Washington shot an overall 41.7 percent and 28 percent from beyond the arc.

Both teams are in the middle of a brutal stretches of every-other-day games, and tempers were short. Mike Thibault, Hines-Allen, and Kristine Anigwe were all given technical fouls in the second half.

Washington sits in eighth place currently and keeps dropping. At first Washington was in seventh, but due to Indiana winning over the Liberty and having a better record, the Mystics fall one spot.

The Mystics face the #2 Las Vegas Aces on Saturday, August 15 at 12:00 p.m. ET on ESPN.