Mystics vs. Wings final score: Washington blows late lead, lose 101-94 in overtime

The Washington Mystics lost in overtime to the Dallas Wings, 101-94 on Sunday in a game that was essentially a make-or-break opportunity for them to keep their playoff hopes realistic.

Ariel Atkins led all Mystics scorers with 22 points while Myisha Hines-Allen had another double-double with 18 points, 13 rebounds and 6 assists. Despite the loss, I gotta say, she’s been on FIRE with plays like these.

Leilani Mitchell, followed up her 12 assist game from last Friday with a 13 point, 9 assist effort.

The key for Washington leading for most of the game was rebounds. Washington held a lead for most of the game until the very end when Arike Ogunbowale made a game-tying three for Dallas.

Ogunbowale went on to score 39 points for Dallas, many of them in clutch moments and overtime...

That said, the Mystics turned the ball over 14 times while the Wings only committed ten of their own. In addition, Emma Meesseman, who scored 16 points tonight, missed a free throw with 6.8 seconds remaining that would have iced the game.

Losing this game also put a dagger into Washington’s dwindling mathematical playoff hopes, just as much as winning them would have done so much more. If the Mystics won today, they would be 6-12 while the Wings would be 6-13. Since the Wings were the No. 8 seed and Mystics were No. 9, Washington would have been eighth place.

Instead, Washington is 5-13 while Dallas is 7-12. They are now 1.5 games behind the Wings for the 8th seed and have just four games remaining. Given how tough the schedule is to close things out, it’s hard to see how Washington can win out given how inconsistent they’ve been all season.

The Mystics are back in action on Tuesday, when they play the Minnesota Lynx. Gametime is at 8 p.m. ET and it will be on ESPN2. Enjoy the rest of your Labor Day weekends everyone.