Sunday afternoon at the Verizon Center resulted in a successful season opener for the Washington Mystics and a successful DC debut for Elena Delle Donne as Washington defeated San Antonio by a final of 89-74.
I felt we had great chemistry for Day One. The biggest thing I noticed was when our defense was getting stops, we were really able to pick up our pace and play really well.
–Elena Delle Donne per Washington Post
Obviously, you come and get 24 points in your debut, that probably sets a pretty good tone for things.
–Mystics coach Mike Thibault
Delle Donne led the Mystics (1-0) with 24 points on eight for 12 shooting and Kristi Toliver, also in her debut donning Washington red, white, and blue, added eight of her own. Emma Meeseman nearly notched a double-double with 13 points and nine rebounds.
When you have a superstar like that on the team, you bring…big crowds.
Ivory Latta said about Delle Donne to Beyond The W.
For the Stars (0-2), who remain shorthanded sans Kelsey Plum, it was Monique Currie who kept San Antonio in the game for much of the contest. Currie finished with 31 points—a career-high, leading all scorers. Alex Montgomery and Haley Peters added nine apiece.
A key reason for the Mystics win over the Stars can be found by way of rebounds. Washington outrebounded San Antonio 39-22, including a 14-6 edge in offensive rebounds. The Mystics also shot nearly 45 percent from the field.
Much has been made about how potent the Mystics’ offense can be with the additions of both Delle Donne and Toliver—both via offseason trades. Ivory Latta, when speaking to Beyond The W, feels this game can be indicative of what Washington can look like from start to finish.
With the starting five and also the people that’s coming off the bench. So, I just feel like we definitely have a really good team overall. And I think once Coach [Thibault] makes the substitutions…we’re not going to lose a step because we’re bringing energy off the bench and we’re also bringing scoring off the bench.
While Washington was successful in its season opener, San Antonio has began the season at 0-2 with back-to-back road losses to the Liberty and Mystics.
San Antonio hopes for better fortunes outside the Acela Corridor as they will take on the Phoenix Mercury in their home opener on Friday. As for the Mystics, they will take the road for a cross-country trip to Los Angeles as the defending champion Sparks await at Staples Center.
Be sure to check out Episode 1 of The W Podcast (@theWpodcast_) on Soundcloud with our editor-in-chief Laureen Irat and (@pbstreet_) Princess Streeter!
By: Akiem Bailum (@AkiemBailum on Twitter, Instagram)
