Takeaways From Mystics Win

By John R. Posey, USN

ARLINGTON, TX--Arlington, TX—The Dallas Wings (14-9) continued their winning ways in July (7-2) with a Tough win, 90-81, over the Washington Mystics (13-10). Liz Cambage had another dominating performance with 35 points and 17 rebounds. Her two-game stat line for the week: 88 points, 27 rebounds, and six blocks. Here are some of my takeaways from the win.

1) Liz Cambage is the most dominant player in the WNBA. She scored 88 points in two games which is a WNBA record. She is second in scoring (22 ppg,), second in rebounds (9.5 rpg), 5th in blocks (1.8 per game), 4th in FG% (58.3%).

2) The Three Amigos, Forwards Glory Johnson (13 points, 5rebounds), Kayla Thornton (15 points, 6 rebounds), and Azura Stevens (11 points, 4 rebounds), continue to provide scoring, rebounding and defense to support Cambage. They combined for 39 points and 15 boards. In fact, the Wings strength is their front line as Cambage and the forwards combined for 74 points and 32 rebounds.

3) The Wings continue their improvement on the entry passes to Cambage. The passes are crisper and are coming before the double team gets to Cambage. Liz is not holding the ball as long once she receives it. She either kicks it back out sooner and re-posts or makes her move to the basket. As a result, team turnovers are down.

4) Skylar Diggins-Smith (18.4 ppg) only scored 4 points, but had 7 assists. She battled foul trouble all night as she and fellow All Star, Kristi Toliver (3-12), pretty much held the other in check.

5) The young, athletic, Dallas Wings, are a legitimate threat to win the 2018 title. With the win over the tough Washington Mystics, Dallas chalked up another victory over a playoff bound team. The Wings have a chance to sweep their next four games (Chicago, Connecticut, Chicago, and Indiana) and lock down a top three playoff spot. The Wings would be in position to host a first round playoff game against a sixth seed.

6) The Three Amigos, Glory Johnson, Kayla Thornton, and Azura Stevens, rotated defending All Star Captain, Elena Delle Donne into a horrid shooting night (3-14). They are long and athletics and have shown all season that they are tough defenders. The only forwards who have have stellar games against the trio are Breanna Stewart and Candace Parker. Stewart leads the WNBA in scoring and Parker is headed for the Basketball Hall of Fame when she hangs up her sneakers.

7) The Wings perimeter defense improved against the Mystics. Starters, Monique Curry and Kristi Toliver shot a combined 5 for 19 (26%).

Photo, Urban Sports News Wire