Alexander Shun
Web Editor Associate | @alexpshun
When the shots aren’t falling, it’s tough to win basketball games. On the flip-side of that, when the shots are falling, winning comes easy.
The Washington Mystics dealt the Minnesota Lynx their worst loss of the season, a 79-61 blowout, because their shots were falling, and falling in bunches.
The Lynx watched as numerous shots went halfway down then came back out and contributed to a season-low-tying 61 points on just 21-of-61 (34.4 percent) shooting (a new season-low), including just 1-of-6 (16.7 percent) from beyond the arc. Their 61 points were also the fewest points at home since a 71-58 loss to the Los Angeles Sparks on July 27, 2010.
“Could we have played through our frustration better? Probably, but it’s part of the game,” said Lynx forward Maya Moore, speaking about her team’s frustration with the offensive struggles. “You know, sometimes shots just don’t go in but we just want to make sure that we’re getting quality shots because when we’re not getting quality shots, it’s definitely something that concerns us”
Despite the many struggles, Washington must be given credit.
The Mystics are a team in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff hunt and they are playing determined to get themselves a spot.
The Mystics shot an astounding 29-of-65 (44.6 percent) which included 7-of-14 from beyond the arc while making multiple shots that were contested or just overall awkward shots.
Guard Kara Lawson led Washington, dropping a game-high 20 points in just 24 minutes of play, while guard Ivory Latta came off the bench to add 16 points, three rebounds and four assists; causing Minnesota problems for the second-straight game.
“I thought we played hard enough defensively early in the game, then we started having some empty possessions on offense, I think frustration set in and I think we lost our focus on defense when they went on a great run,” said Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve.
Forward Rebekkah Brunson did a little of everything for the Lynx tonight, finishing with 12 points, 11 rebounds and four assists. Center Sylvia Fowles started hot, scoring 10 points in the first half, but fell quiet in the second half, adding just three points and finishing with 13 points on 4-of-11 shooting.
Forward Maya Moore, who had just two points at halftime struggled to find a rhythm tonight, finishing with just 10 points on 2-of-10 shooting to go with her five rebounds and four assists.
LEADER OF THE PACK: REBEKKAH BRUNSON
In a game with very few highlights offensively, Rebekkah Brunson provided the majority of them.
With the Mystics pulling away near the end of the second quarter, Brunson ripped an offensive rebound away from Washington center Kia Vaughn, made the lay-up and got fouled (she made the free-throw as well).
Brunson was giving it her all and doing her best to keep Minnesota in the game, on a night when shots just were not falling for the Lynx.
Finishing with 12 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, one steal and one blocked shot, Brunson did a little bit of everything for Minnesota tonight, unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to get a victory,
PLAY OF THE GAME
Tonight’s game was a tough, grind it out sort of game that lacked the flashy transition buckets that Lynx fans are accustomed to seeing at times. Because of that, the play of the game was a tough, gritty play by Moore.
With the game all but decided, Moore grabbed the offensive rebound and notched a put-back bucket to cut into the Mystics’ lead. Moore then ran the length of the floor – as the Mystics started a fast-break – and came from behind on Washington guard Ivory Latta and swatted her lay-up attempt out of bounds.
The play injected some energy into the waning Target Center crowd and, short-lived as it might have been, a frustrated Lynx team.
QUOTEABLE
It ignites us as well. That was a playoff atmosphere with a playoff-type feel. Two teams going head-to-head…and it was a great feel, especially for the newcomers,” said Lynx guard Seimone Augustus speaking on the intensity of the game. Head coaches for both the Lynx and Mystics received technical fouls tonight, speaking to the intensity of the game.
UP NEXT
The Lynx are going to put this game in their rear-view mirror. And quick. Minnesota plays next on Friday night down in San Antonio taking on the Stars. The Lynx will look for the season sweep of San Antonio, having taken the first three contests already this season.