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Takeaways: Washington Mystics ride rookies to upset win over Minnesota Lynx

By Lindsay Gibbs

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 27: Myisha Hines-Allen #2 of the Washington Mystics reacts during game against the Minnesota Lynx on May 27, 2018 at the Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 27: Myisha Hines-Allen #2 of the Washington Mystics reacts during game against the Minnesota Lynx on May 27, 2018 at the Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 27: Myisha Hines-Allen #2 of the Washington Mystics reacts during game against the Minnesota Lynx on May 27, 2018 at the Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 27: Myisha Hines-Allen #2 of the Washington Mystics reacts during game against the Minnesota Lynx on May 27, 2018 at the Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Washington Mystics just did something they’ve never done, and the Minnesota Lynx dropped to .500.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Washington Mystics (4-0) started out the season 3-0, but with all respect to the rebuilding Indiana Fever and Las Vegas Aces, they faced their first true test of the season on Sunday, when the defending champion Minnesota Lynx (2-2) came to town.

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I think it’s safe to say they passed with flying colors.

On Sunday afternoon, the Mystics upset the Lynx 90-78. For the first time in franchise history, Washington has started a season 4-0.

Oh, and they did this with their best player, Elena Delle Donne, sidelined for the entire second half with a stomach bug. Delle Donne only had four points and three rebounds in 13 minutes on the court.

Kristi Toliver led the way with 19 points, but it was actually the “Bench Mob,” as they like to be called, that carried the team across the finish line. Rookie Myisha Hines-Allen had a breakout performance, getting the first double-double of her young career behind 15 points and 13 rebounds. She was incredibly efficient, going 7-for-8 from the field, and the second-round draft pick from Louisville added one steal and one blocked shot for good measure. Plus, she played absolutely stellar defense on reigning MVP Sylvia Fowles — though Tianna Hawkins certainly gets an assist in that department.

Guard Natasha Cloud and first-round draft pick from Texas, Ariel Atkins, were the other stars of this game; both finished with 14 points. Cloud added eight assists, four boards, and one blocked shot to her resume, while Atkins — who hit four three-pointers — also had a steal, a blocked shot, three assists and three boards. That’s quite the stat sheet.

Remarkably, the Mystics trailed the Lynx by as many as 18 in the first quarter.

Maya Moore led the Lynx with 18 points, four boards, two assists and two steals, while Sylvia Fowles had 17 points, eight rebounds, three assists, one steal and one blocked shots. Tanisha Wright was the only other Lynx player in double digits, as she had 10 points, four assists, and three steals from the bench.

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