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3x ATP Champion Showers Support for 33 YO WNBA Veteran in a Dull Game and Harsh Loss

Published 08/22/2023, 9:53 AM EDT

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The Washington Mystics stood no chance against the Dallas Wings on Sunday. The Wings won, with a thunderous 97-84 victory over the Wings, securing their third straight road victory in a spectacular display of dominance. This triumphant win comes after a series of outstanding performances.

However, a 3x ATP Champion was also in the arena, showering support for a 33-YO Washington veteran.

Unfortunately, the team lost.

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3x ATP Champion attends WNBA game

The Dallas Wings was a scoring machine on Sunday, with six players scoring in the double digits. Teaira McCowan and Natasha Howard scored 15 points each, while Arike Ogunbowale scored 17 points overall to lead the charge. Adding to the team’s potent offensive arsenal were Kalani Brown’s 10 points, Maddy Siegrist’s 11, and Crystal Dangerfield’s 14 points. Satou Sabally contributed importantly as well, scoring nine points and dishing out an amazing ten assists.

Dallas took the lead and maintained it for the entirety of the first half, coming to a strong 12-4 run. In the second quarter, the Wings built a sizable 45-32 advantage during this crucial stretch. It was driven by rookie Maddy Siegrist’s impressive performance. Dallas could still hold a 10-point advantage at the break.

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However, in an arena filled with basketball talent, a 3x ATP Champion, Frances Tiafoe sat in the audience.

USA Today via Reuters

Frances Tiafoe has always been a big fan of basketball. Furthermore, being born in Maryland, he is a devoted fan of the NBA and WNBA teams in Washington. He attends NBA games and even actively took part in the coveted NBA All-Star Celebrity Game in Salt Lake City this year.

He was clad in a Washington Mystics 11 jersey, the number that a 33-YO veteran, Elena Delle Donne, wears. Unfortunately, he did not get to see her play as she was absent due to an injury.

With 22 points, Cloud was the top scorer for the Washington Mystics, followed by Sykes and Atkins with 16 and 13 points, respectively. At one point in the game, Washington came back from a 10-point halftime hole to close the distance to just four points. Despite the Mystics’ late-game charge, the Wings held onto their double-digit advantage to earn a spirited victory.

Meanwhile, the Mystics will play against the Suns in Washington on Tuesday night.

The Washington Mystics find themselves in trouble

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The Washington Mystics are in a tight spot as they prepare for a crucial matchup against the Sun on Tuesday night. The team is under increased strain as the Mystics are in desperate need of a win to improve their standings as roster issues loom. Unfortunately, given that Elena Delle Donne might not be in the game, things could end up being even more challenging. The 33-year-old veteran is out with a right hip injury. The star player’s status is still up in the air. It is unlikely that she will be available for the forthcoming game.

Coach Thibault talked about Delle Donne’s condition and revealed that the ankle problem she had been dealing with was no longer an issue. Nevertheless, the 6-foot-5 powerhouse has played sparingly since July 9, totaling just 11 minutes in one game. Shakira Austin has also only played two games since June. She even sat out on Sunday’s game. With crucial players missing and a desperate need to win, the stakes are high for the Mystics.

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Written by:

Ranjitha Ramesh

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Ranjitha Ramesh is an NBA writer at EssentiallySports. With a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication, Ranjitha has a strong foundation in reporting and writing. Her passion for basketball, particularly the Lakers and LeBron James, fuels her desire to delve into the lifestyle and off-court activities of NBA stars.
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Edited by:

Saumya Khanduja