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Mystics run past Mercury behind Shakira Austin’s double-double

Oct 10, 2021; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; A view of the offical game ball during the second half of game one of the 2021 WNBA Finals between the Phoenix Mercury and the Chicago Sky at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Shakira Austin posted 16 points and 10 rebounds and the Washington Mystics held steady in the fourth quarter to beat the visiting Phoenix Mercury 83-65 on Tuesday night and avenge a loss from two nights earlier.

Ariel Atkins provided 13 points, Alysha Clark posted 11 points and Elizabeth Williams had 10 points off the bench to boost the Mystics (10-6).

Mystics forward Elena Delle Donne, who missed the past 2 1/2 games with an ailing back, started the game and scored seven points in 26 minutes.

Unlike Sunday night, there was no fourth-quarter comeback for the Mercury despite 21 points from Diamond DeShields. Tina Charles had 19 points and Skylar Diggins-Smith added 11 points for Phoenix (5-9), which had a three-game winning streak snapped.

Clark and Atkins each made three of Washington’s 11 baskets from 3-point range. The Mystics benefited from a 30-5 advantage in bench scoring.

Washington’s lead was 65-51 after three quarters as Myisha Hines-Allen scored the last five points of the quarter.

DeShields and Diana Taurasi hit 3-pointers to open the fourth quarter, but the Mystics answered with the next six points. Phoenix got back within 74-65 with 4:18 to play but didn’t score again and ended up with its second-lowest point total of the season. The Mercury missed their last five shots amid a series of turnovers.

A strong stretch across the last six minutes of the first half pushed the Mystics to a 44-34 halftime lead. Their largest lead was at 14 points.

Washington had the double-digit lead despite shooting 38.5 percent from the field in the half.

DeShields had 12 points in the first half for Phoenix, which was 4 for 10 on free throws prior to the break. The Mercury ended up 7 for 16 at the line.

The Mercury won Sunday night’s matchup on the same court, 99-90 in overtime.

–Field Level Media

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