Atkins, Delle Donne lead Mystics past Dream in new arena

WASHINGTON (AP) — Ariel Atkins scored 21 points, Elena Delle Donne added 18 in her season debut and the Washington Mystics coasted to a 96-75 victory over the Atlanta Dream on Saturday night.

The Mystics christened their new Entertainment and Sports Arena by shooting 57 percent, led by Delle Donne, who was 5 for 5 for 10 points in the first quarter to help built a 26-16 lead.

It was 52-35 at the half as Delle Donne, who missed the season opener with a sore left knee, was 7 for 7 and Washington shot 61 percent.

Atkins finished 8 of 11 from the field with four 3-pointers. Emma Messeman added 14 points for Washington (1-1).

Tiffany Hayes and Alex Bentley each had 11 points for Atlanta (1-2).

FEVER 92, LIBERTY 77

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Kelsey Mitchell hit five 3-pointers and scored 23 points and Indiana handed New York its 15th straight loss.

The Fever (2-1) scored the first 11 points of the game and made 11 of 16 shots in the first quarter to lead 26-7. The Liberty (0-2) were 2 of 22 in the period. It was 45-29 at the half, the largest halftime lead for Indiana since leading the Liberty by 30 late in the 2016 season.

Indiana beat New York 81-80 in the season-opener last weekend.

Tina Charles, had 15 points for New York. She moved into 15th place on the WNBA’s career scoring list.