The Mystics are now just one game behind Chicago, who have the 8th seed in the WNBA standings.
If I told you that the Washington Mystics were going to be a 2024 WNBA Playoff team back last June after an 0-12 start, you would tell me that I would be delusional. But today, the Mystics blew out the Chicago Sky in an 89-58 win on the road. The win improves them to a 12-24 record, certainly not good by any means, but they still went .500 since that poor start.
The win also puts them just one game behind the slumping Sky who are 13-23. Given how much momentum the Mystics have had as of late, while the Sky have gone in the opposite direction, don’t be surprised to see the Mystics get that 8th seed while the Sky end up slumping into 9th place.
Alright, so how did this game go in more detail?
First, Washington never trailed in the game, holding the Skjy to just 35.7 percent shooting and just 17 assists. Meanwhile Washington dished 28 team assists compared to just 11 turnovers.
No one Mystics player had a dominant scoring performance, but rookie forward Aaliyah Edwards had her signature game of the season, leading Washington with 15 points on 7-of-10 shooting and 10 rebounds.
Aaliyah Edwards is on fire tonight
She has 15 points in 15 minutes ✨#WNBA pic.twitter.com/frjWtTOMsS
— WNBA Universe (@wnbauniverse) September 12, 2024
Dominant performance tonight from start to finish for the @WashMystics as they pick up the 89-58 victory over the Chicago Sky ☑️
Aaliyah Edwards led the charge with 15 PTS, 10 REB, 3 BLK #WelcometotheW pic.twitter.com/qRlmt614G3
— WNBA (@WNBA) September 12, 2024
It may have also helped that rookie forward Angel Reese wasn’t in the game due to a season ending wrist injury, but I’ll take it. After all, Reese, who was selected right after Edwards in the 2024 WNBA Draft, was often considered to be a “what-if” for Mystics fans. That debate may still go on next year, but at least Edwards did very well in this one. In addition, Brittney Sykes added 14 points and 7 assists.
For the Sky, Chennedy Carter led all scorers with 16 points.
The Mystics‘ next game is on Friday when they play the Atlanta Dream on the rod. Tip off is at 7:30 p.m. ET. See you then.