Contending with the two-time champion, two-time MVP, two-time Defensive Player of the Year, and basketball supernova that is A’ja Riyadh Wilson is a mountainous task. Outshining her? Near impossible.
The Washington Mystics (6-18) have learned much through experience. Sunday afternoon marked their third meeting with the defending champion Las Vegas Aces (16-7) over the past 15 days.
The last two meetings, each ending in a frustrating defeat, made it clear that the Aces would not concede anything to a struggling D.C. troop. If the Mystics wanted a win, someone needed to snatch it out of Wilson’s clenched teeth.
Ariel Atkins, for one, seemed tired of losing. Something seemed to be in the air in southeast D.C. that revealed a new gear to the seventh-year veteran.
With the Olympic break less than a week away, this was going to be one of Atkins’ last basketball games for a while. Although she won gold in Tokyo with Team U.S.A. in the 2020 Olympics, her name was left off the roster this time around. She wasn’t selected for All-Star weekend next Saturday either.
Recognition for the Dallas, Texas native has run dry as of late.
Not-so gentle reminders
In contrast with her thoughtful, mild-mannered off-court demeanor, Atkins’ game is relentless. Wilson kicked off the day with a putback bucket, and Atkins wasted no time contemplating a response.
First, it was a smooth midrange to put Washington on the board. On the next possession, she buried a wing three. The Mystics got another stop, and Atkins shifted Jackie Young with a between-the-legs crossover en route to a teardrop floater over the six-foot-three Kiah Stokes.
Not even two minutes had elapsed, and Atkins had seven straight points.
As the first quarter ran its course, the dominant Vegas offense seemed uncharacteristically absent. Wilson was stripped of the ball twice while posting up. Atkins buried her second three of the game to put Washington up 22-9.
Four quick points from Kelsey Plum steered the Aces in the right direction, but until Atkins cooled down, rough sailing would continue.
The ball found Atkins’ familiar hands late in the shot clock on the next play, and she buried a 29-foot three. Two plays later, she pulled a contested three in the face of her former teammate Alysha Clark.
The Mystics stood atop an 11-point lead as the first-quarter buzzer sounded. Atkins finished the quarter with 16 points, already eclipsing her per-game average of 15.
Vegas retaliates
The second quarter saw similar offensive struggles for the Aces, but their defensive intensity picked up. After scoring on their first possession of the period, the Mystics failed to add to their total for four straight minutes.
“I thought [Vegas] amped their pressure up across the board, and it took us too long to come to grips with it. We didn’t get into our offense with any force or intention, and I thought it really shifted in the second quarter where they pushed catches out and we stayed buried in the corners. I didn’t think we had enough urgency.”
Mystics head coach Eric Thibault postgame
The drought was relieved almost undeservingly by an Atkins free throw, awarded to Washington after Young was booked for a technical foul.
The Aces were unbothered. They continued their run, erasing Washington’s lead entirely. Young redeemed herself with a three to tie the game at 40 points apiece.
With 30 seconds left in the half, Julie Vanloo landed a lofty three-pointer to reclaim the lead. Her shot also claimed the Mystics rookie record for most three-pointers in a season (46), previously held by Atkins herself.
Washington returned to their locker room up 43-40. Atkins finished the half with 21 points. Vegas was led by Plum with 12 and Wilson with 10.
Atkins vs. Wilson
The other eight players on the court became afterthoughts in the third quarter. This was no longer Mystics versus Aces. This was Atkins versus Wilson.
Wilson once again started things off with a layup. Atkins responded with free throws. Four straight points from Wilson. Then five from Atkins.
An offensive rebound and putback layup brought Wilson to 22 points on the night. Atkins’ sixth three, once again ruthlessly in the face of her former teammate Clark, brought her to 32 points, tying her career-high through just three quarters.
The two dynamos met face-to-face with 40 seconds left in the quarter. Atkins drove past Clark and tried to put up a floater, but was swatted by Wilson who took the ball coast-to-coast to draw a foul.
Of the Aces’ 25 third-quarter points, Wilson had 14. Atkins had 11 of Washington’s 19.
Neither star was slowing down. Atkins was winning the scoring war, but the Aces’ supporting cast was outperforming her Mystics teammates. Entertainment & Sports Arena was locked in a stalemate.
Closing time
Washington started the final quarter with Atkins on the bench, but a quick five-point run by the Aces changed head coach Eric Thibault’s mind. Upon subbing back in, Atkins took the ball right at Wilson once again, this time besting the All-Star with a one-legged fadeaway.
Atkins clearly had steam left, but the rest of the Mystics were running on fumes.
The high-caliber duel between Wilson and Atkins rapidly devolved into a fourth-quarter routing. Washington started missing layups and free throws and committing sloppy turnovers.
With just under a minute left in the game, Washington was down seven. Plum turned the corner while driving on Jade Melbourne, and bounced in a layup while getting fouled. As her bench erupted, the 5’8″ Plum hit the “too small” celebration on Melbourne.
The Aces outscored the Mystics by nine in the fourth and walked away with an 89-77 win.
Atkins finished with 36 points, a new career high. She shot 13 for 25 from the floor and six for nine from three.
“[I was] just trying to be aggressive and trying to stay aggressive. I knew I could have some gravitational pull in this game… I think I was on balance tonight with my shots. I think I was being more aggressive and more decisive about my spots on the floor.”
Ariel Atkins postgame
To say that Atkins paced her Washington squad would be ambitious. She worked at a tempo of her own, and none of her teammates could stay in step.
Atkins was the only Mystic who finished with double-digit points.
Ariel Atkins left it all on the floor today…new career high for AA 🫡 pic.twitter.com/9dbKNwVtnA
— Washington Mystics (@WashMystics) July 14, 2024
Her backcourt partner Vanloo added nine points and seven assists but shot at a less-than-ideal 30% clip. Shatori Walker-Kimbrough notched nine as well, although at an equally poor 33.3%.
Wilson secured the season-sweep of Washington with a loud 28 points, 17 rebounds, and 2 blocks. Plum and Tiffany Hayes supported her with 22 and 17 points, respectively.
The low expectations that Mystics fans have familiarized themselves with will undoubtedly allow them to celebrate Atkins’s memorable night, as they should. As Washington deals with long-lasting injuries to three of their five starters, the 2024 season continues to be punted away.
The Mystics now sit at second-to-last in the league standings. Their final contest before the month-long Olympic break will be a Tuesday morning meeting with the Phoenix Mercury in Capital One Arena.
Follow Beyond Women’s Sports for more from the world of sports. And follow me on X, @becketto0.
