For the second year in a row, Elena Delle Donne and the Washington Mystics made it to the WNBA Finals. This time, however, they ensured the result ended in their favour.
Outscoring the Connecticut Sun 27-14 in the final quarter of Game 5, the Mystics clinched their first WNBA Championship in franchise history, something their point guard Natasha Cloud guaranteed after their Game 4 loss.
Must-see 📺
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 11, 2019
Relive the back-and-forth action between the @WashMystics and @ConnecticutSun during the fourth quarter tonight! #WNBAFinals pic.twitter.com/GkM2C6Pg1h
Throughout the Finals, the Mystics saw their MVP Delle Donne and Ariel Atkins battle injuries, however Emma Meesseman rose to the occasion, lifting the Washington franchise through adversity.
With Finals averages of 17.8 points and 4.6 rebounds on 57.1% shooting from the field, she was named WNBA Finals MVP, becoming the first reserve player in league history to be given the award.
.@EmmaMeesseman (22 PTS, 3 REB, 3 AST) showed out today when it mattered most! 🔥 #WatchMeWork #WNBAFinals pic.twitter.com/BqBVjSL77y
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 11, 2019
Recently named league MVP Delle Donne was wearing a mask to protect her broken nose, wearing a brace on her left knee and according to reports, was battling three herniated discs in her back. Putting up a near double-double of 21 points and nine rebounds, she only had praise for her teammate and WNBA Finals MVP.
Nothing but praise for the #WNBAFinals MVP from the WNBA MVP! @De11eDonne talks about how teammate Emma Meesseman helped lead the @WashMystics to their first @WNBA title! pic.twitter.com/zEgxZyiPU7
— NBA TV (@NBATV) October 11, 2019
In Game 5, the Mystics also received valuable contributions from their backcourt - Cloud (18 points, five rebounds, three assists) and Kristi Toliver (18 points, four rebounds, four assists).
For the Sun, who fought off elimination in Game 4, couldn't pull off another win. Their frontcourt of Alyssa Thomas (21 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists) and Jonquel Jones (25 points, nine rebounds) put up great numbers but couldn't lead the franchise to what would have been their first championship as well.
This is now the Sun's third loss in the WNBA Finals in as many appearances.
Meanwhile, for the Mystics, this was redemption after being swept 3-0 by the Seattle Storm in last season's Finals.