Myisha Hines-Allen, pictured earlier this season, finished with 11 points and seven rebounds as the Mystics lost to the Liberty to fall to 0-8. On Friday night, Washington fought back after a disastrous opening 10 minutes, but the rally was not enough to avoid a 90-79 loss to the New York Liberty at Barclays Center that left them as the last winless team in the WNBA. The eighth straight loss matched 2007 for the worst start in franchise history.
The team has struggled more than anyone expected, but injuries have not helped. Starting point guard Brittney Sykes missed her sixth straight game with a high ankle sprain, and starting center Shakira Austin remains on a minutes restriction after hip surgery and has missed two games. Things got ugly quickly as the inconsistent Mystics, ranked last in the WNBA in scoring, continued to struggle in the first quarter. Washington has been better defensively as of late but gave up 32 points in the first 10 minutes, equaling the most it has allowed in any quarter this season. Sabrina Ionescu, who finished with a game-high 24 points, knocked down a 30-footer at the end of the quarter for a 32-17 lead in what looked like a rout in the making.
“I have faith that we keep acting the right way, we keep competing as hard as we are, we know we have some areas we have to get better, but it starts with acting right and acting like a team and acting like winners. I felt that tonight. We have to improve, obviously, but our attitude was really good.”Washington took its first lead of the game at 73-72 with 6:42 left in the fourth quarter and was up 75-74 with 4:59 to go when things fall apart.
Ariel Atkins put together her second consecutive strong game in an up-and-down season, and Hines-Allen had her best game after struggling throughout the start of a contract year. The 90 points allowed were the second most this season by the Mystics.Kayla Thornton finished with 20 points and five steals for the Liberty, while reigning MVP Breanna Stewart added 18 points, 15 rebounds and five assists. Jones had a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds.
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