Mystics slam Sky, edge nearer to playoff place

Rookie Aaliyah Edwards scored 15 points and Brittney Sykes contributed 12 of her 14 during a game-defining first quarter as the Washington Mystics won their fifth straight road game, demolishing the Chicago Sky 89-58 on Wednesday.

Sykes scored six straight points during a 10-0 run that highlighted a first quarter in which Washington shot 47.6 percent, went 4-for-10 from 3-point range and held a 14-7 rebounding advantage to go ahead 29-13.

That effort set the tempo for the Mystics (12-24), who are tied with the Atlanta Dream (12-24) for ninth place in the WNBA with four games remaining. The Sky (13-23) hold the eighth and final playoff spot.

The Mystics have won six of their past eight games overall, with five of those victories coming on the road.

Chennedy Carter had 16 points for Chicago, which shot 35.7 percent and committed 15 turnovers while losing for the eighth time in 10 contests. Isabelle Harrison and Kamilla Cardoso combined for 23 points and 16 rebounds for the Sky, who are 1-1 since losing star rookie Angel Reese to a season-ending wrist injury.

The Sky shot 1-for-8 from 3-point range while being held to fewer than 60 points after scoring 92 apiece while winning each of their previous two contests.

Despite falling into a sizable first-quarter hole, Chicago found some life while outscoring Washington by two in the second quarter. However, Edwards, who entered the game averaging just 7.6 points during her rookie campaign, scored her first of 10 third-quarter points and Julie Vanloo hit back-to-back 3-pointers to build the lead to 51-33.

Washington went on to outscore the Sky 28-19 in the third to take complete control and move closer to playoff position.

Ex-Sky forward Sika Kone had 11 points for the Mystics, who made half of their 68 shots and shot 9 for 33 from 3-point range (39.1 percent).

In addition to Reese’s absence, the Sky also played without veteran Diamond DeShields (ankle).

–Field Level Media