Courtney Williams helps Lynx rally past Mystics
Jul 2, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Washington Mystics guard Ariel Atkins (7) shoots the ball against LA Sparks forward Dearica Hamby (5) in the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports Courtney Williams had 17 points, seven assists and six rebounds, and the Minnesota Lynx rallied for a 74-67 win over the Washington Mystics on Saturday night in Minneapolis.
Kayla McBride also scored 17 points for the Lynx (15-6), who snapped a two-game skid. Bridget Carleton chipped in 13 points, and Dorka Juhasz pulled down a team-high 11 rebounds.
Ariel Atkins and Shatori Walker-Kimbrough scored 15 points apiece to lead Washington (5-17). Myisha Hines-Allen chipped in with 11 points and 11 boards.
The Lynx outscored the Mystics 19-10 in the fourth quarter to secure the victory.
Washington trailed by five points when Cecilia Zandalasini made a driving layup to give Minnesota a 72-65 lead with 2:43 to go in the fourth. That proved to be enough as Hines-Allen made the Mystics' only basket for the remainder of the fourth quarter.
Minnesota played without its top scorer, Napheesa Collier, who missed the game because of a foot injury. The four-time All-Star and member of Team USA for this summer's Olympics sustained the injury on Thursday against the Connecticut Sun.
The Mystics led 57-55 at the end of the third quarter.
Stefanie Dolson made a jump shot to put Washington on top by seven points with 8:08 remaining in the third quarter. The Mystics then fell behind 54-49 with 2:55 left before finishing the quarter on an 8-1 run.
Atkins started the run with five straight points on a jump shot and a 3-pointer. Hines-Allen added one free throw and Jade Melbourne made two free throws.
The score was tied 36-36 at the half.
Minnesota jumped to a 25-14 lead at the end of the first quarter. Zandalasini buried a 3-pointer to put the Lynx on top by 13 with 41.4 seconds left, but DiDi Richards made a pair of free throws for the Mystics to cut the deficit to 11 heading into the second quarter.
The Mystics posted a 22-11 advantage in the second quarter to pull even.
Washington finished the second quarter on a 7-0 run. Hines-Allen made a pair of two-point baskets and Atkins drilled a 3-pointer during the run.
--Field Level Media