Brittney Sykes gunned in a game-high 29 points as the short-handed Washington Mystics enjoyed one of their best offensive performances of the year, outscoring the visiting Indiana Fever 96-88 on Friday night.

Ariel Atkins added 26 points and 10 rebounds for the Mystics (10-7), while Tianna Hawkins contributed 10 points, six rebounds and five assists. Washington canned 46 percent of its field-goal attempts and sank 31 of 37 foul shots, making 12 more free throws than Indiana attempted. It also earned a 19-3 advantage in points off turnovers.

Lexie Hull scored 20 points, about 15 more than her per-game average, to lead the Fever. NaLyssa Smith added 19 points, while Kelsey Mitchell hit for 18 and Aliyah Boston netted 12 points.

Indiana (5-13) lost its sixth straight game despite converting 55 percent from the field and 9 of 18 from the 3-point stripe.

The teams played 72 hours after trading centers Queen Egbo and Amanda Zahui B. Egbo played 15 minutes for the Mystics and finished with three points, while Zahui B. managed four points in a 3:56 stint at the end of the first half for the Fever.

Washington entered the game without three starters — leading scorer Elena Delle Donne (ankle), center Shakira Austin (hip) and point guard Natasha Cloud (ankle) — yet scored at will in the first half against a team allowing more than 90 ppg during its recent skid.

The Mystics canned 12 of 18 shots in the first quarter, getting 10 points from Sykes in establishing a 28-21 lead. They carried that fine offensive form into the second quarter as Sykes capped a personal run of eight points in less than 90 seconds with a steal and layup that helped them grab a 55-40 cushion at the break.

Indiana controlled most of the third quarter, pulling within 67-63 when Kristy Wallace canned a baseline jumper with 2:04 left. But Washington carved out breathing room with a 7-1 burst that Atkins capped with two foul shots to make it 74-64 going to the fourth period.

–Field Level Media