:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69789078/1234927581.0.jpg)
The Washington Mystics had what may very well be a character win of the 2021 WNBA season after defeating the Dallas Wings, 76-75 on Saturday night in Washington.
Washington was simply not in control at the beginning of this game. While they were able to hold the Wings to just 35 points in the first half, they only scored 19 points themselves on 21 percent shooting and were down by as many as 18 points at one point. While the Wings shot above 61 percent from the floor in the first half, they also committed 14 turnovers which opened up an opportunity for the Mystics to make things interesting.
Once the third quarter was underway, Washington began to take control with Natasha Cloud scoring 15 of her game-high 21 points. In fact, Cloud made ALL of her shots in the second half! She added 5 assists in the victory.
.@T_Cloud4 is on FIRE FROM THREE #TogetherDC pic.twitter.com/EKFaFLVuA0
— Washington Mystics (@WashMystics) August 29, 2021
Put the team on her back @T_Cloud4 scored all of her 21 points in the second half and helped the @WashMystics come back from down 18 to get the win pic.twitter.com/x8fq6efNia
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) August 29, 2021
After the third quarter, Washington kept shooting real well and ultimately took the lead. Yes, the Mystics only won by one point, but that was because Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale made a buzzer-beating three at the end of regulation and led Dallas with 25 points.
Either way, Washington earned this win. What’s even more notable was that Elena Delle Donne and Tina Charles both sat the game out. Delle Donne may have had a setback with her back injury.
Elena Delle Donne is not partaking in the Mystics lay up line. Looks like she is out after aggravating her back injury last game.
— Neil Dalal (@NeilDalal96) August 28, 2021
And Tina Charles is still out due to her gluteal strain. I think most of us would have understood if the Mystics threw the towel in the second half. But Cloud was not going to let that happen tonight. I hope to see more scoring performances like I did tonight from her.
In addition to Cloud, Myisha Hines-Allen added 15 for Washington. Every Mystics player who saw action in this game scored at least one point (by a free throw) tonight.
Washington’s next home game is against the Connecticut Sun on Tuesday, Aug. 31. Tip-off is at 7 p.m. ET.