Washington Mystics Fend Off Phoenix Mercury In First Half Thanks to Dynamic Ball Movement and Sharp 3-Point Shooting

Blazing Start Fuels Mystics' Ascent

The Washington Mystics put on a dazzling offensive display in the first half of their matchup against the Phoenix Mercury, effectively neutralizing their opponents with crisp ball movement and a barrage of three-pointers. The Mystics' cohesive play and sharpshooting accuracy proved too much for the Mercury to handle, granting them a comfortable lead heading into halftime.

The Mystics shot an impressive 50% from beyond the arc in the first half, connecting on 6 of their 12 attempts. Ariel Atkins and Shakira Austin led the charge with two three-pointers apiece, while Elena Delle Donne and Shatori Walker-Kimbrough added one each. This long-range proficiency kept the Mercury defense honest, creating ample driving lanes for the Mystics to exploit.

Beyond their three-point prowess, the Mystics also showcased their exceptional ball movement. They tallied 10 assists on their 14 made field goals in the first half, demonstrating their unselfishness and ability to create high-quality looks for one another. Natasha Cloud orchestrated the offense with precision, dishing out 5 assists, while Delle Donne and Atkins contributed 3 and 2 assists, respectively.

Mercury Struggle to Keep Pace

The Phoenix Mercury, on the other hand, endured a sluggish start, failing to match the Mystics' offensive firepower. They shot a mere 33.3% from the field and connected on just 2 of their 10 three-point attempts in the first half. Brittney Griner paced the Mercury with 7 points, but she was inefficient, shooting 3-of-10 from the field.

The Mercury's struggles were compounded by their inability to contain the Mystics' ball movement. Phoenix allowed Washington to generate 10 open three-point attempts in the first half, a testament to the Mystics' superior spacing and passing. The Mercury's defense looked disjointed and out of sync, providing the Mystics with ample opportunities to attack the basket and create open looks from deep.

At the conclusion of the first half, the Mystics held a commanding 50-33 lead over the Mercury. Their dominance on both ends of the court proved too much for Phoenix to overcome. The Mystics' ability to hit shots from beyond the arc, coupled with their seamless ball movement, proved to be an unstoppable combination.