Austin delivered one other sturdy recreation, knocking down 13 rebounds to go along with six factors because the Mystics — taking part in with out two-time MVP Elena Delle Donne — beat the Minnesota Lynx, 76-59.

Austin, the previous Riverdale Baptist All-Met who was the third general choose within the WNBA draft, has continued to impress. On a veteran staff, the expectation was that the rookie wouldn’t must take an enormous position so early. As a substitute, after a breakout recreation within the Mystics’ first journey right here greater than a month in the past, she has earned her approach into the beginning lineup.

“For the reason that final time we had been right here [a 78-66 win May 8], it’s simply undoubtedly been a journey,” Austin mentioned. “It’s undoubtedly been some ups and downs. Dropping and simply looking for our id. Myself making an attempt to get my groove again and proceed to be aggressive.

“I really feel final time in opposition to Minnesota, I simply was taking part in environment friendly, taking part in aggressive. And proper now I’m simply getting again to that second. To proceed to only be there for my staff, present up, be constant, simply put the work in.”

These “downs” drove Austin to the movie room, the place she watched a mash-up of faculty clips. She remained within the lineup, however she appeared to labor a bit extra with all the things. The aggression appeared to wane as Austin continued to search out her position.

“I do know after I get in tough patches and I really feel like I’m dropping who I’m on the court docket, I identical to to return and keep in mind how simple it sort of is,” mentioned Austin, who began her faculty profession at Maryland earlier than ending at Mississippi. “The sport’s actually easy, and it’s nearly preparation and placing the work in and in addition understanding that you’ve the ability to compete with all people.”

Derek Fisher fired midseason by Sparks as head coach and GM

The Mystics (9-5) by no means trailed in a uneven recreation. Minnesota (3-10) hung round in putting distance for a lot of the evening, however Washington pulled away within the fourth quarter with Myisha Hines-Allen having her finest recreation of the season. She completed with a season-high 17 factors and 6 rebounds. Ariel Atkins added 12 factors, and Elizabeth Williams had 11 factors and 6 rebounds. Natasha Cloud had eight factors and eight assists.

“It’s good for her confidence,” Coach Mike Thibault mentioned of Hines-Allen. “It’s good for our staff studying how we are able to use her. We’re sort of utilizing increasingly and extra tonight like we did within the bubble and for the instances that she was wholesome final 12 months. Put the ball in additional palms a bit of bit extra as some extent ahead within the fourth quarter.

“That was an enormous factor. She was in a position to penetrate or discover folks. Made a few threes. These had been all, you realize, massive performs.”

Austin joked and shouted, “About time!” within the postgame media session when discussing Hines-Allen. She had entered the sport capturing profession lows in subject purpose proportion and from behind the arc, however teammates and coaches continued to encourage her to be aggressive. Thibault mentioned there was no hesitation in her decision-making in opposition to the Lynx.

“I used to be simply capturing with confidence,” Hines-Allen mentioned. “Simply taking part in like I do know I can play and simply seeing the ball go in makes my job simpler.”

Right here’s what else to know in regards to the Mystics’ win:

Delle Donne left Wednesday’s recreation within the second quarter with decrease again tightness, however Thibault mentioned she felt a lot better the subsequent day. He described the difficulty as muscle spasms and never something structural. She didn’t make the journey to Minneapolis, as a substitute going by way of her regular exercise in Washington on Friday. Delle Donne is anticipated to play at dwelling Sunday in opposition to the Mercury.

The Lynx performed their first recreation of the season with out Sylvia Fowles, the 2017 MVP taking part in her remaining season. Fowles is out indefinitely with a cartilage difficulty in her proper knee. The seven-time MVP was averaging 16.5 factors (tenth within the league) and main the WNBA in rebounding (10.3) and subject purpose proportion (64.1).

“No person goes to be Syl, per se,” Lynx Coach Cheryl Reeve mentioned. “We talked about every participant: Is there one thing they’ll try this Syl dropped at the desk that we might every sort of share the load in?”

The league launched the primary spherical of all-star voting numbers, and Ariel Atkins was a notable oversight. Atkins was not among the many prime 30 vote-getters regardless of getting into Friday ranked thirteenth in scoring (15.8) and capturing 41.3 p.c from three-point vary.

Delle Donne had the fifth-most votes, Austin was twenty ninth and Cloud was thirtieth.

“If she’s not within the prime 30, any individual’s lacking the boat,” Thibault mentioned of Atkins. “And our followers aren’t doing their job voting.

“I’ve no remark. We all know who the very best gamers are.”