The Washington Mystics faced a tough loss in the first game of their WNBA first-round series, slipping to a 92-77 defeat against their opponents, the Atlanta Dream. Despite matching a season high with 22 turnovers, the young Mystics squad couldn’t secure the win.

Rhyne Howard from the Dream emerged as the game’s top scorer with 26 points. She maintained tight defense on Michaela Onyenwere of the Mystics, who managed to score eight points.

The Mystics had tied for the best record in the WNBA following the all-star break. They even set a new league record for total rebounds in a season. Their young roster was the youngest to ever reach the postseason. However, a significant vulnerability became apparent. Their inability to control turnovers cost them in this crucial playoff opener.