The Washington Mystics aim to complete a two-game sweep of the Storm on Sunday afternoon when the teams reconvene in Seattle.
Brittney Sykes scored a season-high 18 points and Shakira Austin recorded her fourth consecutive double-double on Friday to propel the Mystics to a 73-66 victory over the Storm. Austin collected 15 points and 11 rebounds for Washington (4-3), which made just 38.2 percent of its shots from the floor (26 of 68) and 27.3 percent from 3-point range (6 of 22).
Elena Delle Donne contributed 11 points and seven rebounds to offset five turnovers for the Mystics.
Washington, which enjoyed a wire-to-wire win, was given plenty of anxious moments after mustering just 10 points in the third quarter.
Ezi Magbegor erupted for a season-high 24 points for the Storm (1-5), who were unable to overcome the absence of star Jewell Loyd (foot injury). Loyd is averaging a WNBA-best 28.0 points per game.
Seattle has struggled to forge a new identity following the departures of Breanna Stewart (New York) and Sue Bird (retirement).
Speaking of Bird, the Storm will retire her No. 10 jersey on Sunday. The 13-time All-Star and four-time WNBA champion will join former teammate Lauren Jackson as the lone players to see their respective jersey numbers retired by the Storm.
