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Mystics Rally Past Sparks 80-70, Extend Los Angeles Slump

8/16/2026

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Summary

Mystics Defeat Sparks

Washington Mystics defeated the Los Angeles Sparks 80-70 on Saturday night.
Sonia Citron scored 21 points, added eight assists and six rebounds, and hit a three-pointer that made it 74-69 with three minutes left.
Washington rallied in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Sparks 25-12.
The loss extended the Sparks’ slump to four straight defeats and 11 of their last 13 games, while Washington improved to 20-14.

Summary

Aces Clinch

Las Vegas Aces clinched a postseason berth, the league’s second team this year behind the Minnesota Lynx.
The win lifted the Aces to 24-11, one game behind second-place Golden State (24-9) and tightened the top-two seed race.
Becky Hammon became the fifth WNBA head coach to reach the playoffs in each of her first five seasons, ESPN Research reports.

History

Historical Context

In 1997 the NBA-founded WNBA began with eight franchises—including the Houston Comets and New York Liberty—and concluded its first season with the Comets defeating the Liberty 65-51 for the inaugural championship. The league kept NBA court dimensions and a summer schedule, supporting fan interest. Subsequent expansions raised the league to 15 teams by 2025, reflecting steady growth.

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Mystics Defeat Sparks

Washington Mystics defeated the Los Angeles Sparks 80-70 on Saturday night.
Sonia Citron scored 21 points, added eight assists and six rebounds, and hit a three-pointer that made it 74-69 with three minutes left.
Washington rallied in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Sparks 25-12.
The loss extended the Sparks’ slump to four straight defeats and 11 of their last 13 games, while Washington improved to 20-14.

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