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Takeaways: Elena Delle Donne leads Washington Mystics past Connecticut Sun 92-80

By Lindsay Gibbs

WASHINGTON, DC -  JUNE 26: Elena Delle Donne #11 of the Washington Mystics handles the ball against the Connecticut Sun on June 26, 2018 at 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 Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC -  JUNE 26: Elena Delle Donne #11 of the Washington Mystics handles the ball against the Connecticut Sun on June 26, 2018 at 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 Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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An Eastern Conference showdown went Washington’s way.

WASHINGTON, DC –  JUNE 26: Elena Delle Donne #11 of the Washington Mystics handles the ball against the Connecticut Sun on June 26, 2018 at 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 Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC –  JUNE 26: Elena Delle Donne #11 of the Washington Mystics handles the ball against the Connecticut Sun on June 26, 2018 at 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 Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On the first night of a three-games-in-five-days homestand, the Washington Mystics (9-5) claimed sole possession of first place in the Eastern Conference with a 92-80 victory over the Connecticut Sun (8-6).

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Elena Delle Donne led the Mystics with 25 points, while LaToya Sanders (18 points, 8 rebounds), Kristi Toliver (14p, 8 assists, 3 steals), and Ariel Atkins (13p, 5r, 2s) all scored in double digits as well. Chiney Ogwumike notched a double-double for the Sun, with 17 points and 11 rebounds.

The Mystics trailed by 10 at the end of the first quarter and by as much as 12 in the second. But by halftime the Sun lead was down to 3, and by the end of the 3rd quarter, the Mystics were up by 15.

Delle Donne’s performance was simply stunning. She had what could be considered a “quiet” 25, if there is such a thing. While there was never any one moment where she completely took over the game, every few minutes she was there with a shot when the team needed it the most.

Because she missed a few games with illness, her statistics this season aren’t as gaudy as some of the other superstars across the league, but she’s playing some of the best basketball she’s played since she arrived in Washington, D.C. last year. Now that she has this comfort with her teammates, and enough weapons are developing across the lineup that teams won’t be able to focus in on her as much defensively, expect big things for the rest of the season.

Of course, with a victory this significant there’s plenty of credit to go around. So, without further ado:

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