With just less than three minutes remaining Thursday night, Currie pump-faked in the corner, drove toward the basket, collided with an opposing defender and crashed to the floor. She did not allow the sparse crowd at Verizon Center time to gasp. She got right up and headed to the free throw line.
Currie’s tangible contributions during Washington’s 85-81 win over the Atlanta Dream (16-14) were limited, but her appearance in the game was not the only refreshing occurrence of the night.
Faced with a familiar scenario — tight game, closing minutes — the Mystics (6-24) accomplished what they’ve seldom been able to do this season.
They got defensive stops when they needed to. They nabbed rebounds at critical moments. They drove to the basket instead of settling for long-range jump shots.
“I think we had a little more composure,” Washington Coach Trudi Lacey said after the victory snapped Washington’s season-long nine-game losing streak. “I wouldn’t say it was all [Currie], but just having another person on the floor with experience, you know, Atlanta didn’t go away easy. . . . We just took care of the ball and took care of business down the stretch.”
Forward Crystal Langhorne finished with 25 points and 10 rebounds. Rookie point guard Jasmine Thomas tallied 12 points and five assists. Guard Matee Ajavon scored 19 points.
The Mystics fans in attendance appreciated those contributions, but no player received a louder ovation upon entering the game than Currie. She’d averaged 14.1 points and 4.8 rebounds per game last season. They remembered, especially in light of how this season has transpired.
Currie’s old form hasn’t returned just yet. She logged 9 minutes 30 seconds of action in reserve, recording eight points and three rebounds. She said she’s still a step slow, not that her teammates noticed.
“It’s a huge difference just because she’s so aggressive offensively,” Langhorne said. “She can shoot it, she can put it on the floor and even though she’s been out the whole summer, they still have to guard her.”
Or try to, at least. Currie did not hesitate to drive to the basket on several occasions. And after each foul call, she did not hesitate to pick herself up, either.
“Usually, if somebody’s running behind me and I’m running up to the basket, that makes me uncomfortable,” Currie said. “If they’re in front of me, if I can see them, I’m fine.”
●SILVER STARS 86, MERCURY 68: Jiaa Perkins scored 23 points and Becky Hammon had 16 to lead San Antonio (15-15) to a victory over Phoenix (17-13).
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