Mystics point guard Kara Lawson finished with a game high 19 points in the loss to the Chicago Sky
The up and down results continue for the Washington Mystics (15-11) after their heart breaking defeat to the Chicago Sky (17-11) 66-64, thanks to a clutch lay-up from Sky guard Cappie Pondexter (9 points/5 rebounds) with 6.7 seconds left. It was the Mystics fourth straight loss to the Sky, and it has left a sense of doubt about the Mystics heading forward. The Mystics have proven that they can beat anyone, see the season sweep of WNBA contender Minnesota Lynx for proof, however the Mystics have also proven that they can be beaten at the same rate. It's this inconsistent play that has everyone, even the most die hard Mystics supporters, scratching their head. Throughout the game it was a back an forth affair and regardless of the double digit leads from the Sky at different points, you knew the Mystics would close the gap, and they did. Great defense from the Mystics led by their defensive stud Tierra Ruffin Pratt, held the WNBA's leading scorer Elena Delle Donne to 18 points on 7-22 shooting yet the production from the Sky bench ended up proving costly. Allie Quigley (15 points) and Clarissa Dos Santos (10 points/ 5 rebounds) would outscore the Mystics bench (25-22) by themselves. Timely shots from Ivory Latta (15 points/4 rebounds/4 assist), Emma Meesseman (12 points/ 7 rebounds) who has been playing with a splint on her right hand after dislocating her finger against the Lynx and Kara Lawson (19 points) brought the Mystics back late to trail 64-61 with a little under a minute left in the game. Then veteran guard Kara Lawson would hit a big time three to tie it at 64 with 28 seconds left in the game. Sky coach Pokey Chatman would call a timeout and put the ball in the hands of one of the best one on one players the WNBA has seen Cappie Pondexter. Pondexter would validate Chatman's faith in her, converting the game winning lay-up with 6 seconds left to give the Sky a 66-64 win over the Mystics. The loss to the Sky drops the Mystics to fourth in the East standings. The Mystics will host the Phoenix Mercury this Friday at 7pm.
MVP Candidate Elena Delle Donne even in a subpar shooting performance (for her standards) finish with 18 points,10 rebounds and 4 blocks
Mystics guard/ forward Tierra Ruffin Pratt is emerging into one of the best defenders in the WNBA
Mystics point guard Ivory Latta (15 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assist) was once again a big spark off the bench unfortunately it wasn't enough
Sky guard Cappie Pondexter known for having a killer instinct finished off the Mystics with the game winning lay-up