Brittney Sykes made a triumphant return to the court, leading the Washington Mystics to their first victory of the season with a convincing 87-68 win over the Atlanta Dream. The game, held in College Park, Georgia, showcased Sykes’ stellar performance as she scored 18 points in her first game back since May 17.

In addition to Sykes’ standout performance, Ariel Atkins also contributed 18 points to the Mystics’ winning effort. The victory was a much-needed boost for Washington, who had been struggling with a 1-12 record prior to this game.

Washington’s sharpshooting from beyond the arc was a key factor in their success, as they made a season-high 17 three-pointers in the game. Sykes, in particular, was impressive from long range, going 4 of 6 from three-point territory in just 14 minutes of play. Atkins also showcased her shooting prowess by making all three of her attempts from downtown.

The Mystics got off to a strong start in the first quarter, hitting seven three-pointers to take a 25-15 lead. Although Atlanta mounted a comeback in the second quarter, closing the gap to 38-33 at halftime, Washington regained control in the second half and never looked back.

In addition to Sykes and Atkins, Julie Vanloo chipped in with 11 points off the bench for the Mystics. On the other side, Rhyne Howard led the scoring for Atlanta with 16 points, followed by Aerial Powers with 13 points and Tina Charles with 12 points and nine rebounds.

Despite Howard becoming the youngest player in WNBA history to reach 200 career three-pointers at just 24 years and 43 days old, Atlanta was unable to overcome Washington’s strong performance from beyond the arc.

The win not only marked a significant milestone for the Mystics but also helped them avoid tying the franchise record for the longest losing streak. With this victory, Washington looks to build on their success and turn their season around.