Chicago Sky’s 4th-quarter rally comes up short in an 84-82 loss to the Washington Mystics

WASHINGTON — Ariel Atkins scored 19 points, Natasha Cloud made two free throws with six seconds left and the Washington Mystics held off the Chicago Sky 84-82 on Wednesday night to avenge a loss Sunday.

The Mystics closed the first half on an 11-3 run to take a 45-40 lead and extended it to 57-42 after scoring 12 of the first 14 points of the third quarter. But the Mystics were held to 15 points in the fourth as the Sky battled back.

The Sky’s Candace Parker had a shot blocked but got her own rebound and converted a three-point play with 27.9 seconds left to tie it at 82. Cloud dribbled down the clock, drove to the basket and was fouled before making two free throws.

After a timeout, the Sky got it inside to Parker, but her left-handed layup didn’t hit the rim as time expired.

Alysha Clark added a season-high 18 points, Shakira Austin scored 14 and Cloud finished with 11 for the Mystics (8-5). Atkins also had seven rebounds and five assists.

Tianna Hawkins started the second half in place of the Mystics’ Elena Delle Donne, who played just seven minutes before leaving with lower back tightness.

Parker had 16 points and nine rebounds for the Sky (7-4), who beat the Mystics 91-82 on Sunday at Wintrust Arena. Kahleah Copper and Rebekah Gardner each added 12 points, and Allie Quigley and Azurá Stevens had 11 points apiece.