After defeating the ‘superteam’ New York Liberty in their opening game, Washington handed Chicago their first loss of the season after losing two straight to Connecticut. Ace Elena Delle Donne, who led the team in scoring at every turn, hit the game-winning shot to secure the victory.
The Washington Mystics defeated the Chicago Sky 71-69 in a 2023 WNBA Regular Season game at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois, on 27 January 2023. Washington improves to 2-2 and moves into fifth place, while Chicago, at 2-1, falls to fourth.먹튀검증
After falling behind early to Carlyle Copper and Marina Mabry, Washington responded with baskets from Brittney Sikes and Aerial Atkins. After falling behind when Courtney Williams couldn’t stop an inside A-pass, Washington tied the game on a putback by Shakira Austin and a free throw by Sikes, and took the lead on a step-back three-pointer by Delle Donne.
After Chicago pulled away with baskets from Dana Evans and Courtney Williams, Washington balanced the score with a three-pointer from Shatori Walker-Kimbrough, but Tiana Harkins sank a free throw to open the second quarter and the Wizards scored six straight points, capped by a three-pointer from Limeng, her first in the WNBA.
After Delle Donne hit another three-pointer, Washington led 40-34 at halftime after Austin hit back-to-back free throws and capped off a fast break.
With the momentum set, the Wizards continued to roll early in the third quarter. Delle Donne’s power and Austin’s ability to score under the basket pushed the lead back to double digits. Delle Donne’s jumper made it 53-37 midway through the third quarter.
However, a 16-point advantage allowed Chicago to pull away. After struggling to find its rhythm early in the third quarter, Chicago got back-to-back 3-pointers from Mabry and Evans, and Rebecca Gardner snatched up a lazy baseline pass from Washington for an instant bucket.
Tied at 53, Washington couldn’t get away, and its poor shooting led to turnovers. Evans’ free throws, Mayberry’s jumper and an Elizabeth Williams layup cut the deficit to one, but Chicago went back up by as many as 16 points in less than three minutes on a steal by Coppinger.
After losing the lead, Washington regained control. Amanda Jahui B and Kristi Tolliver hit back-to-back three-pointers. Tolliver even converted a four-point play on an opponent’s foul, and Washington ended the third quarter with a 60-53 lead.
In the fourth quarter, Washington’s momentum faltered again. They went scoreless early, giving up baskets to Mabry and Cooper and a three-pointer to Courtney Williams. The score was tied at 60-60.
But it was not to be. Deledon and Austin scored to take a one-point lead and tie the game again. A three-pointer by Courtney Williams tied the game again with 1:08 to play, and Washington and Chicago each lost a possession to turnovers.
The offence took over. Atkins missed a 3-pointer, but Washington grabbed the rebound and Delle Donne hit a 3-pointer with 22.4 seconds left. It was the game-winning shot.
Chicago made just 1 of 2 free throws on its final possession, and Atkins made both of the free throws Washington earned from the opposing foul manoeuvre. The game was decided.