The Dallas Wings carried some extra baggage on their trip to Washington to face the host Mystics on Friday — the hangover from a disastrous final 20 seconds in an 82-81 loss to Atlanta on Wednesday.
The Wings (18-10) surrendered the lead on a five-point Dream possession in the final seconds, then could not convert two tough looks as time expired. They have lost two of three after a six-game winning streak.
“It’s a tough way to lose a basketball game, but now you put it behind you and respond and go get Washington,” Dallas coach Jose Fernandez said.
Allisha Gray scored Atlanta’s final five points against Dallas, hitting three free throws with 18.7 seconds left after Arike Ogunbowale was given a flagrant-1 foul for encroaching on Gray’s landing space. The Dream retained possession and Gray followed with a 12-footer from the lane for an 82-81 lead.
Paige Bueckers brought the ball up court and passed to post Jessica Shepard, who dished out. Awak Kuier missed a contested corner 3-pointer and Shepard’s stretching putback attempt at the buzzer was off.
“I trust my teammates,” said Bueckers, who averages 20.7 points and 6.2 assists. “I think I should have kept it and tried to create, but playing pitch-and-catch with her (Shepard) has been very efficient, too.”
Shepard had 16 points and 14 rebounds against the Dream, her league-leading 19th double-double of the season. Ogunbowale scored 24 points, Azzi Fudd had 20 and Bueckers added 16.
The Mystics (15-12) have won three straight and five of seven after beating Connecticut 92-84 Tuesday.
Guard Sonia Citron leads the Mystics in scoring at 17.4 points per game, while 6-foot-3 Kiki Iriafen and 6-foot-5 Shakira Austin each average 15.0 points, with Austin grabbing 9.4 rebounds per game and Iriafen 9.3.
The Mystics lead the league in rebounding (37.1 per game) and rebounding differential (plus-6.7).
The Mystics are 4 1/2 games clear of their nearest challengers for the eighth and final playoff spot with 17 games remaining. They have not made the postseason since 2023 and have not won a playoff game since claiming the league title in 2019.
“It’s really important to stay present,” Mystics coach Sydney Johnson said. “So, not really prepared to look at the stretch run as of yet. Certainly, want to get well into August before thinking that way. We’re right here, right now.”
“It’s our togetherness and our toughness that has to hold each moment. You just can’t get too far down the road. If we hold that, we think good things will happen.”
–Field Level Media
