This is H-U-G-E!We said tonight's game would be HUGE, and was it ever!!!
The Liberty and the Mystics came into the Phone Booth tonight as the two hottest teams in the WNBA; New York with a league-best 10 game winning streak and the Mystics having won 4 in a row. Both teams had already clinched playoff berths, but home court advantage was still up for grabs. The stakes were enormous, and it was a playoff atmosphere inside the arena. Not only was the game HUGE, but so was the crowd -- 13,109! There were even fans up in the nosebleed 400 level; no one has sat up there for years!
As for the game itself, it began with a close and very tense first half. The Mystics took a slim, 4-point lead (35-31) into the locker room. But during the third quarter, Washington broke the game open (or so we thought), extending their lead to 12 points (61-49) going into the final period. But then, to the horror of the stunned hometown crowd, the Mystics shifted into meltdown mode. Shot clock violations, turnovers, fouls . . . ugly (and not very smart) basketball. The Liberty took full advantage. New York not only closed the double-digit gap, but inched ahead in the final two minutes of the game. Uh-oh.
This called for drastic measures: It was time for BC Eileen to fish out her Magic Mystics Blue Glow-in-the-Dark Bracelet. After that (to make a long couple of minutes short), the Mystics miraculously managed to pull out the victory, 75-74 . . . thanks to two critical baskets, one each by Marissa Coleman and Lindsey Harding in the final 30 seconds, and a few missed shots at the buzzer by New York. Whew. What a fourth quarter!
So at the end of the night, the Liberty's streak has come to an end, and the Mystics now own the longest current win streak (5) in the WNBA.
But there's more good news! Tonight's win, coupled with the Fever's loss tonight to San Antonio (thank you, Silver Stars!) means the Mystics are now tied for first in the East (21-12) with New York and Indy, with one game left in the regular season. And, since Washington holds the tie-break over both those teams, a win by the Mystics on Sunday against Atlanta would give them the regular season Eastern Conference title, even if Indy and New York also win out. Amazing! The Mystics have NEVER been in this position before. In fact, right now, stop reading and go over to the Standings page on WNBA.com, here. Look at that -- the Mystics sitting atop the East, at this stage of the season. HUGE.
What a night. What a win. (Even a little rumble after the final buzzer.) What more could we ask for on Fan Appreciation Day!
Go Mystics . . . Beat the Dream (and wrap up 1st place)!!!
posted by BasketCases @ 11:59 PM
15 comments
15 Comments:
BC,
What are the rankings for the playoffs if there is a three way tie for first? I can't figure out if .500 mean in conference or both conferences.
CONGRATULATIONS ON THE BIG WIN! GO MYSTICS!
GO DCBC!
Figured it out on my own. If Indiana loses once and there is a three way tie. Washington is first, NY second and Indiana third.
What an exciting way to close out our regular season at home. Great fan turnout.
Now I've got to watch the last minute on All Access so I can see what got Ann D all riled up after the game.
Indiana just lost.
If teh Stix win on Sunday they are the number one seed. The other part is that Atlanta has nothing to play for. Should be interesting.
What is the story with NY starting a fight tonight? What made Ann Donovan so mad, it looked like she said "I'll get you next time
Great, great game! Glad I could see it. The fans really turned out. Was awesome! What happened at the end of the game? As I was leaving I saw marissa pulling Katie smith back telling her to calm down I think. ??
Just watched the replay of the "fracas" - looks like Cappie took offense at Katie backing into her. We'll never know if Katie bumped her accidentally, but it's clearly a very minor contqacgt that Cappie over-reacted to.
Props to AD for getting between her team and the Styx - no one was getting through her!
And props to Rissa - she was grabbing her team mates jerseys and dragging them out of harms way.
This was by far one of the best games I've EVER attended, men or women! Don't tell me the WNBA isn't real basketball! Both teams played their hearts out, giving as much as they were getting. I can't wait for the playoffs! Go Mystics!
Great game, but it shouldn't have gotten so close!! The Verizon Center was loud!! I think I'm mostly to blame for my ears ringing, but wow!! The bench certainly did contribute - go Ajavon and Marissa, both hitting some clutch baskets. And Harding with a block!!
Cappie seemed peeved the whole game, especially after the foul with Katie near the Mystics bench. It's a shame that the fight broke out (at the game I just caught the end and thought it was Katie and Taj), but as 104 mentioned, AD and Coleman really broke it up.
Beat the Dream on Sunday!! Go Mystics!!
Love the picture of Riss and Lang on the front page of the post!
The one problem with getting the post in B-more is it must get printed @ 9pm or something. Any evening game is always too late and we have to look online. Are they on the front cover or the sports cover? Either way - great pic! Great game!!
Go Mystics . . . Beat the Dream (and wrap up 1st place)!!!
Loved the game - even the national anthem was great! - but why is it the Styx have such a hard time in the fourth quarter?
I reviewed the game in slow mo. It appears that Katie accidentally backed into Cappie (they were back to back). She didn't even see her, and Cappie responded in a hostile matter. Lindsey came between the two players. NO FIGHT!!!
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