Topseeded Mystics survive Aces’ rally
The Washington Mystics were thrilled to pull out a close win in the playoffs.
Elena Delle Donne scored 24 points and hit a crucial turnaround jumper late, Emma Meesseman added a career postseasonhigh 27 points and 10 rebounds, and the host Mystics held off the Las Vegas Aces for a 9795 victory in Game 1 of their WNBA semifinal series Tuesday night.
It was Washington’s first win all year by a single possession, one in which the Aces missed what would have been a gametying shot at the buzzer.
“It was stressful,” said Delle Donne, who helped the Mystics to a 268 regularseason record and the top playoff seed. “We haven’t had many of those moments. And to get one of those in the semifinals is big. To be able to gut it out is huge for us.”
Meesseman also bested her regularseason high of 25 for the Mystics, who were playing their first postseason game since being swept by the Seattle Storm in last year’s WNBA Finals. Meesseman wasn’t a part of that team, after taking a leave of absence following the 2017 season. Connecticut 84, Los Angeles 75: Alyssa Thomas had 22 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead a balanced Connecticut offense and the Sun opened the semifinals with a home win over the Sparks.
Jasmine Thomas scored 19 points, Jonquel Jones had 16 and Courtney Williams had 15 for the Sun, who got their first playoff win since 2012.
Candace Parker had 24 points and 10 rebounds, and Nneka Ogwumike added 20 points and 10 rebounds for the Sparks, who knocked off defending champion Seattle in the second round.
Connecticut did not trail in the fourth, outscoring the Sparks 2517 over the final 10 minutes.
The teams return to the Mohegan Sun Arena on Thursday for Game 2.
Draft lottery: The New York Liberty will have the No. 1 pick in next year’s draft for the first time in franchise history. Dallas will pick second, Indiana third and Atlanta fourth. Oregon guard Sabrina Ionescu, a MiramonteOrinda alum, and Baylor forward Lauren Cox are among the leading prospects to be selected No. 1.