Seattle Storm guard Sue Bird, left, makes a 3-point basket over Washington Mystics guard Shatori Walker-Kimbrough, center, during the first half of a WNBA basketball playoff game, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)Washington Mystics forward Elena Delle Donne, left, looks to pass the ball against the Seattle Storm during the first half of a WNBA basketball playoff game, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)Washington Mystics center Shakira Austin, right, tries to pass the ball around the defense of Seattle Storm forward Breanna Stewart (30) during the first half of a WNBA basketball playoff game, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)Washington Mystics center Shakira Austin, center, tries to pass around the defense of Seattle Storm guard Sue Bird, left, and center Tina Charles, right, during the first half of a WNBA basketball playoff game, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)Seattle Storm guard Sue Bird looks to pass the ball against the Washington Mystics during the first half of a WNBA basketball playoff game, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)Seattle Storm center Tina Charles, left, tries to shoot around the defense of Washington Mystics forward Elena Delle Donne (11) during the first half of a WNBA basketball playoff game, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022 in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)Seattle Storm guard Jewell Loyd (24) drives with the ball against the Washington Mystics during the first half of a WNBA basketball playoff game, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
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Seattle Storm guard Sue Bird, left, makes a 3-point basket over Washington Mystics guard Shatori Walker-Kimbrough, center, during the first half of a WNBA basketball playoff game, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
SEATTLE – Breanna Stewart had 21 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists, Sue Bird added season highs of 18 points and 10 assists, and the Seattle Storm beat the Washington Mystics 97-84 on Sunday to sweep their opening-round series.
No. 4 seed Seattle plays top-seeded Las Vegas in the second round. The best-of-five series begins next Sunday in Las Vegas.
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Jewell Loyd was 5 of 10 from 3-point range and finished with 19 points for the Storm. Gabby Williams, who suffered a concussion in the third quarter and did not return, scored 14 points and Tina Charles added 10.
Ariel Atkins hit a 3-pointer 13 seconds into the third quarter to give the Mystics a 46-45 lead, but Stewart answered with a 3 on the other end and Seattle never again trailed. Stewart made a fade-away jumper to stretch the Storm's lead to 17 points with 6 minutes to play.
Natasha Cloud made 5 of 8 from 3-point range and finished with 21 points for Washington. Atkins added 15 points and seven assists, Elena Delle Donne and Shatori Walker-Kimbrough scored 12 points apiece, and Alysha Clark 10.
The Storm made 35 of 63 (55.6%) from the field, shot 52.2% (12 of 23) from 3-point range. finished with 27 assists and committed a season-low eight turnovers.
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