Mystics vs. Dream final score: Ariel Atkins leads Washington to complete comeback with 96-93 win

The Washington Mystics defeated the Atlanta Dream on Thursday at home, 96-93 after a great comeback despite missing several key contributors. The win also gives head coach Mike Thibault his 350th career victory as a WNBA head coach, already extending the WNBA’s all-time record.

Without Tina Charles who was at the Tribeca Film Festival for the premiere of her new movie, Washington was going to be short handed. In addition, things were exacerbated with Erica McCall sitting the game out due to a knee injury she suffered earlier this morning. And things were made even worse with Myisha Hines-Allen leaving the game early in the second quarter due to a left knee injury.

Fortunately, Theresa Plaisance got the start and picked up some of the slack, scoring 14 of her career-high 25 points in the first half. But Washington was still turnover prone, giving up the ball 10 times and the Mystics were down 46-38 at halftime. Odyssey Sims was the primary factor for the Dream, scoring 10 of her 22 points in the half.

The second half, however was all Mystics as they outscored the Dream 58-47 to get the much-needed win. Ariel Atkins scored 24 of her game-high 32 points to lead Washington to the win. In the second half, Atkins shot 7-of-8 from the field, making 3-of-4 from the three point line. And this shot was just sweet.

The three point shooting by Washington as also very strong as they went 9-of-19 in the second half as well with Plaisance and Leilani Mitchell making three long range shots each. This wasn’t a blowout that some fans may have been hoping for, but after a rough start to the season, the Mystics (5-6) can get any wins they can.

Natasha Cloud also had a near triple double with 10 points, 11 assists and 9 rebounds.

Washington will host the Indiana Fever this Saturday at 7 p.m. ET for their next game. See you then.