Sunday’s game against the Chicago Sky was the most pivotal of the entire season for the Washington Mystics.
With Washington clinging to a playoff spot, a win against Chicago would put them in a much more comfortable spot heading into the final month of the regular season. With most of the starters out of the lineup for the past month, the goal has been to simply survive.
Washington did more than just that. Getting a career-high 30 points from Brittney Sykes and another 16 from Queen Egbo off the bench, the Mystics rolled to an 83-76 win, improving their overall record to 3-0 against the Sky. The win now puts Washington two games ahead of the eighth-seeded Sky and the ninth-seeded Sparks, who are both battling for a playoff spot.
Sykes helps Mystics overcome third-quarter woes
Washington only held a one-point lead at the half but outscored Chicago 21-16 in the third. The Mystics have struggled mightily in the second half of games this season, posting a combined -9.3 net rating in third quarters. They responded in a big way against Chicago, tallying a +25.0 net rating in the third quarter and a +15.4 net rating in the second half.
Brittney Sykes had 13 of her 30 points in the third, setting the tone for the team in the second half. After the game, she shared her mindset…
