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What a victory for the Washington Mystics as they took down the Indiana Fever 85-69 on Tuesday night. The Mystics needed this win as they’re now 2-3 this season so far. This win also counts toward the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup, which they’ll need if they intend on competing for that.
Tina Charles came through and did what Tina Charles needed to do. She scored 30 points along with six boards in what was her third straight game scoring 30 this season. 19 of her 30 points came in the first half. Charles has definitely been one of the keys to keeping the Mystics afloat in games.
3rd straight game with 30 points #CountIt @tinacharles31
— WNBA (@WNBA) May 26, 2021
https://t.co/fnncD5G4m5 pic.twitter.com/BGLgFmt6E7
With a 30-point performance tonight against the Indiana Fever, @WashMystics star Tina Charles joins Maya Moore as the only players in @WNBA history with three 30-point games within the first five games of a season.
— The Undefeated (@TheUndefeated) May 26, 2021
Charles' last three games
5/21 - 34p
5/23 - 31p
5/25 - 30p pic.twitter.com/7gioX0z3Pe
Charles wasn’t alone in helping get the win as Ariel Atkins and Myisha Hines-Allen combined for 33 points. Atkins had 18 points, 12 of which came from three-point range. Hines-Allen had 15 points in her second game of the season after going scoreless in her first game. She also added 10 rebounds as well for a double-double.
The Mystics had a dominant first half that lead to them getting a 16-point lead in the third quarter. The Indiana Fever tried their best going on runs to get their deficit down, but Washington was already too hot and felt the victory coming within grasps.
Tiffany Mitchell of the Fever had 11 points followed by Jessica Breland and Danielle Robinson who both had 10 points. Victoria Vivians contributed nine points off the bench for Indiana. It still wasn’t enough to overpower Washington.
One big key of the Mystics win was the fact Head Coach Mike Thibault made some needed adjustments early on. One of those being the starting lineup against the Fever. On Tuesday night, Natasha Cloud, Atkins, Sydney Wiese, Hines-Allen and Charles were the starting five which pushed Leilani Mitchell to the reserves.
Shuffling starters just a bit #TogetherDC pic.twitter.com/QT42RzYMjC
— Washington Mystics (@WashMystics) May 25, 2021
Now that could sound like a demotion but it actually seems to work out. Having two natural point guards in as starters who are used to facilitating the team can cause some dysfunction or conflict in the chemistry. Hopefully Thibault keeps this starting five intact that is until Elena Delle Donne makes her return.
The Mystics will face the at the moment undefeated Connecticut Sun on Friday May 28 and will be televised on Facebook. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.