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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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CHICAGO, IL – JUNE 22: Chicago Sky guard Diamond DeShields (1) shoots Washington Mystics guard Tierra Ruffin-Pratt (14) on June 22, 2018 at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – JUNE 22: Chicago Sky guard Diamond DeShields (1) shoots Washington Mystics guard Tierra Ruffin-Pratt (14) on June 22, 2018 at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

The comeback really started with Tierra Ruffin-Pratt’s stifling defense on Jasmine Thomas. Thomas had 10 points in the first quarter, but Ruffin-Pratt came off of the bench and really knocked her off kilter. Thomas only scored three points in the next three quarters combined. Ruffin-Pratt also hit back-to-back shots, including one from beyond the arch, to extend the Mystics’ first lead of the game from one point to six. The team never looked back.

LaToya Sanders’ newfound aggression on offense was probably the scariest thing to come from this game if you’re one of the other 11 teams on the league. The North Carolina center is still working her way back to full strength after being diagnosed with anemia at the start of the season, but if this wasn’t full strength it’s hard to imagine what that will look like. Because Delle Donne, Toliver, and Atkins do such a good job stretching the floor, Sanders is frequently left open. She’s finally figuring out how to take full advantage of that. On Tuesday night, she was 8-of-12 for 18 points, plus 8 rebounds and four assists. Considering she’s in the game mainly for her defensive prowess, that’s a ridiculous stat line.

Oh, and, by the way? It was also a career-high point total for Sanders. Not a bad day at the office for the vet.

Myeisha Hines-Allen’s rebounding is a revelation. Hines-Allen’s rookie campaign continues to impress. On Tuesday night, the Louisville star only played 12:33, but nabbed seven rebounds in that time, going against a front court of Jonquel Jones and Chiney Ogwumike! Oh, and even though she only scored two points, she made them count.

Ariel Atkins is a disruptive force of nature. Speaking of rookies, Atkins has quickly become one of my favorite players to watch. Her center of gravity is so low to the ground, that she practically is eye level with the ball at all times. Perhaps that explains why she always finds her way to it, whether it’s on offense or defense. She is, quite literally, always ready to pounce.

The Sun miss Alyssa Thomas. That’s all there is to it. The forward’s shoulder injury was aggravated in the Sun’s last game against the Mystics, and the Sun have now gone 1-4 in her absence.

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