Lynx defeat Washington for fifth straight victory

In an injury-plagued season, as she is working her way back to her true self, Lynx guard Aerial Powers has been true to herself.

And that means emotion. If basketball uniforms had long sleeves, Powers would wear her heart on them. Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve has learned the impact Powers can have on the players' collective psyche.

''We need that personality,'' Reeve said. "That edge. And she's going to give that to you every single time. It never wanes.''

Which brings us to Saturday at Target Center. In a game with momentum swings that felt like tidal waves, the Lynx made the last splash in a 93-75 victory over Washington.

The Mystics are the team Powers used to play for, a group she won the 2019 WNBA title with. In her fifth game back after missing nine weeks because of thumb surgery, in her first game against her last team, Powers was part of the emotional push that put the game away for the Lynx (18-9).

Minnesota finished a 4-0 homestand, has won five straight and 13 of 15. Saturday's victory pushed the Lynx into third place, percentage points ahead of Seattle and two games behind second-place Las Vegas, which is where the Lynx play Wednesday.

Powers scored 20 points off the bench. She and Rachel Banham (13 points, eight assists) each scored five points — each with a midrange jumper and a three-pointer — in a 15-0 run to start the fourth quarter that put the game away.

For Powers, it was the best she's felt and the most efficient she's been with the Lynx. Playing with her old Michigan State coach and a group of friends in the stands, she made six of 10 shots, four of six threes. On a night when Reeve stressed taking open shots, the Lynx were 11-for-25 on three-pointers, with Powers, Banham (3-for-5), Bridget Carleton and Napheesa Collier (21 points) all hitting at least two.

Down two late in the first quarter, the Lynx appeared to take control with a 27-4 run over 6 minutes and 56 seconds. Indeed, the Lynx led by as many as 23 late in the second quarter.

BOXSCORE: Lynx 93, Washington 75

Until the Mystics, led by Aeriel Atkins (25 points), Tina Charles (12) and Natasha Cloud (12), roared back.

First Washington scored the final eight points of the first half, pulling within 15. Then they outscored the Lynx 27-16 in the third to make it a four-point game entering the fourth. The Mystics (10-17) were briefly within two until Natalie Achonwa scored the final bucket of the quarter.

Which brings us back to Powers. And Banham. Heck, a Lynx bench that had a 39-18 edge in scoring.

While Washington was opening the fourth quarter going 0-for-5 with two turnovers, the Lynx took the game back. Banham hit a jumper, then Collier. Powers hit a jumper, then, after a Washington miss, hit a three. Kayla McBride (15 points) hit a three. Finally, with 6:13 left, Banham's three-pointer put the Lynx up 81-62.

In the homestand the Lynx held all four opponents under 40% shooting. Saturday they added the offense. Minnesota shot 52.9% and had five players in double figures. Collier's 21 points on 9-for-16 shooting and nine rebounds was just the sort of efficiency Reeve has been looking for.

Powers? She brought the emotion. "Usually when you get into a game like this you're too high,'' she said. "Last night, today, I was like, 'OK, stay in your mojo, let the game come to you.' "

In the huddle before the fourth quarter began, she had a message. "I said, 'That was their run. It's time for ours,' " Powers said.

Powers isn't 100 back, yet. But it's coming. "Right now I'm climbing a ladder,'' she said.

So are the Lynx.