Atlanta DreamvsWashington Mystics
ATL 76/WSH 81
Things to say
The Washington Mystics beat the Atlanta Dream 81-76 at home.
01
opener
Mystics took care of business at home, 81-76. Never a blowout but they held on late. Atlanta just couldn't get over the hump.
02
key player
Shakira Austin was the best player on the floor, 21 points and just eating them up in the paint all night.
03
hot take
Rhyne Howard dropped 24 but it didn't matter. If your best scorer goes off and you still take the L, that's a team problem.
04
deep cut
Angel Reese grabbed 13 boards and Atlanta still got out-rebounded when it counted. Iriafen quietly had 10 herself.
05
exit
Mystics are back over .500, gotta like where they're trending. Curious what they do next game.
The recap
Washington got the job done at home, holding Atlanta to 76 in a grind-it-out 81-76 win. Shakira Austin was the engine, dropping 21 and doing work in the paint, while Kiki Iriafen cleaned the glass for 10 boards.
Rhyne Howard did everything she could for Atlanta with a team-high 24, and Angel Reese ate them up on the boards with 13, but the Dream just couldn't buy enough buckets down the stretch. Mystics clamp up on defense and take this one.