Dream beat Mystics for 2-1 series lead
Dream guard Brittney Sykes reacts after she scored during the second half of Game 3 of a semifinal against the Mystics on Friday in Washington. Credit: AP/Nick Wass
WASHINGTON — Tiffany Hayes had 23 points and 11 rebounds and the Atlanta Dream beat the Washington Mystics 81-76 on Friday night to take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five WNBA semifinal series.
Washington played without injured All-Star Elena Delle Donne.
Brittney Sykes scored 17 points, and Elizabeth Williams had 14 for the Dream. Atlanta is one victory away from the franchise's fourth finals appearance and first since 2013.
Delle Donne suffered a bone bruise on her left knee in the closing minutes of Tuesday's 78-75 Game 2 loss at Atlanta. Washington's offense labored without its leading scorer. The Mystics shot 36 percent from the field and 5 of 23 on 3-point attempts.
Aerial Powers led Washington with a season-high 18 points. Ariel Atkins scored 17 points.
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