Last night in the WNBA Playoffs: Mystics beat Liberty in instant classic

Welcome back to Last night in the WNBA Playoffs, a running post you’ll see throughout the next month or so as we march towards the crowning of a new WNBA champion.

Washington Mystics 86 – New York Liberty 83 (2 OT) (Mystics up 1-0)

The Mystics were ready to go from the second they got off the big elevator at MSG.

And the New York Liberty’s intro music was never more appropriate than last night. It. Went. Down. For. Real.

Hey, hey! Look who it is!

Epiphanny Prince was HOOPIN’ last night. She had 26 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists while playing 44 minutes.

So was Emma Meesseman, as she finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds.

The Liberty almost escaped in regulation, but Ivory Latta had other ideas, draining the three to tie it with less than 30 seconds to go.

Tina Charles then almost won it in the closing seconds, but her basket was waved off due to a shot clock violation, which sent us to overtime.

Then the Liberty almost won it in the first overtime, but Ivory Latta and Emma Meesseman had other ideas once again, as Meesseman dropped in the clutch bucket.

MORE FIRE!

The Mystics pulled away in the final minute of the second overtime to get the W, and now they head back to Washington with a chance to sweep the top-seeded Liberty.

Minnesota Lynx 67 – Los Angeles Lynx 65 (Lynx up 1-0)

The Lynx’ “reward” for finishing with the top seed in the West is a first-round matchup with Candace parker and company.

Hi Ricky.

Seimone Augustus made her return last night, and she looked as good as ever, dropping 17 big points. Straight cash, homie.

Last night was all about Maya Moore, though. She dropped a playoff career-high 33 points on 13-26 shooting, while grabbing 5 rebounds and swiping 4 steals. Plus she had the clutch bucket late in the game that gave the Lynx a three-point lead.

Whoops, sorry Candace, I’ll see ya later.

The Target Center was LIT after the Game 1.

(h/t @TheTargetman)