Shorthanded Mystics beat Brittney Griner, Mercury to end skid

The result was an 84-69 triumph over the Phoenix Mercury at Entertainment and Sports Arena in which shorthanded Washington forced 19 turnovers and held nine-time all-star Brittney Griner in check in her first game in D.C. since she was released from a Russian prison in December.

“I think this was a gut-check game,” Mystics Coach Eric Thibault said. “Everybody that played contributed, bought in to the game plan, made some plays and stuck together. We kind of said, ‘Empty the tank today and give your teammates a little extra when they need it.’ ”

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The victory came with three starters, including two-time WNBA MVP Elena Delle Donne, still out because of injuries. Ariel Atkins and Shakira Austin remained sidelined, too.

“Regardless of who we have in, who we have out, we’re figuring that part out, but right now with our numbers down and only nine, 10 players, we’ve got to get it done on the defensive end and allow our defense to lead to our offense,” Cloud said, “which is kind of what we focused on today.”

Sykes and Cloud each scored a game-high 23 points to help the Mystics (12-10) end their two-game skid. Cloud also had nine assists, and Shatori Walker-Kimbrough added 13 points.

Cloud closed the first quarter with eight straight points to bump Washington’s lead to double figures for the first time. A 17-2 run bridging the halves swelled the Mystics’ margin to 49-31 early in the third quarter, and the Mercury (6-16) didn’t threaten the rest of the way.

Washington permitted its fewest points since June 22, when it dispatched the Chicago Sky, 80-59. It also held the Mercury, which was on a two-game winning streak, below 40 percent shooting for much of the game. (Phoenix surged late to finish at 43.3 percent.)

The Mystics had a 10-3 cushion in fast-break points, underscoring their intent to push the pace behind a guard-heavy rotation and not allow Phoenix — and Griner in particular — to get set on defense.

Sophie Cunningham led Phoenix with 17 points; she was 5 for 9 on three-pointers. Griner and Megan Gustafson chipped in 12 points apiece for the Mercury, which was without Diana Taurasi (quadriceps contusion/sore toe) and Skylar Diggins-Smith (maternity leave).

“We’re at our best when we have pace going up…