WNBA Finals 2019: Washington Mystics clinch first championship in franchise history with 89-78 Game 5 win over Connecticut Sun

Yash Matange

WNBA Finals 2019: Washington Mystics clinch first championship in franchise history with 89-78 Game 5 win over Connecticut Sun image

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. 

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.

 

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. 

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.

Yash Matange

Yash Matange Photo