Mystics outscore Dream 35-13 in second quarter, cruise to 109-86 win #Mystics #outscore #Dream #quarter #cruise #win

WASHINGTON (AP) — Elena Delle Donne scored 25 points, Ariel Atkins added 19 and the Washington Mystics beat the Atlanta Dream 109-86 on Wednesday night.

Washington pulled away in the second quarter. The Mystics scored 22 of the opening 30 points of the frame, including a 10-2 run to take a 48-28 lead with three minutes left in the half. Washington led 61-33 at halftime after outscoring Atlanta 35-13 in the quarter.

Washington led by double figures the entire second half and topped 100 points for the first time this season.

New York Liberty's Breanna Stewart (30) attempts a basket as she is guarded by Connecticut Sun's DeWanna Bonner (24) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game, Tuesday, June 27, 2023 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. (Sarah Gordon/The Day via AP)

Breanna Stewart scored 24 points and Jonquel Jones added 14 points and 11 rebounds in her return to Connecticut as the New York Liberty beat the Sun 89-81.

Chicago Sky's Alanna Smith (8) passes the ball past Connecticut Sun's Alyssa Thomas (25) during a WNBA basketball game, Sunday, May 25, 2023, in Uncasville, Conn. (Sarah Gordon/The Day via AP)

Alyssa Thomas has kept the Connecticut Sun competitive with her all-around play. She will need to find a way to increase her productivity with Connecticut center Brionna Jones sidelined for the remainder of the season because of a ruptured Achilles’ tendon.

Phoenix Mercury WNBA basketball All-Star center Brittney Griner speaks about recent events, the struggling Mercury team, and the new Mercury interim head coach during a news conference Monday, June 26, 2023, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

There was a time in Brittney Griner’s life when a mid-season coaching change might have been tough to handle.

Los Angeles Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike (30) looks to pass against Dallas Wings center Kalani Brown (21) during the first half of a WNBA basketball basketball game in Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, June 14, 2023. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Nneka Ogwumike scored 27 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to lead the Los Angeles Sparks to a 93-83 win over the Dallas Wings.

Myisha Hines-Allen scored 16 points, Tianna Hawkins had 13 points and 11 rebounds, and Brittney Sykes had 12 points and 10 assists for Washington (9-5), which has won nine straight home games against Atlanta. The Mystics announced on Tuesday that Shakira Austin will miss at least three weeks with a hip strain.

Atlanta was 11 of 39 (28%) from the field in the first half and finished 28 of 74 (38%).

Cheyenne Parker had 23 points and eight rebounds and Allisha Gray added 17 points for Atlanta (5-8). Nia Coffey had 14 points and Rhyne Howard scored all eight of her points in the second half.

Atlanta coach Tanisha Wright missed the game for personal reasons and Vickie Johnson served as the acting head coach.

The teams face each other again on Friday.