Ariel Atkins

Washington Mystics point guard Julie Vanloo smiles, sticks her tongue out, and holds both hands with her thumbs and two fingers sticking out.

Julie Vanloo is quietly rewriting rookie records with the Washington Mystics

By Jenn Hatfield / July 24, 2024

‘She’s someone who deserves to be here and has shown that every single day’

After her first game in Washington against her former team, Phoenix Mercury guard Natasha Cloud raises her left hand in the air and puts her right hand over her heart to acknowledge the crowd.

Competitive fire, nostalgia duel in Natasha Cloud, Kristi Toliver’s D.C. homecoming

By Jenn Hatfield / July 18, 2024

Cloud: ‘Y’all was trying to get my thug tears today’

Washington Mystics guard Ariel Atkins shoots a left-handed jump shot as Las Vegas Aces center Kiah Stokes arrives too late to get a hand up.

With career-high 36 points, Mystics’ Ariel Atkins reminds WNBA how elite she is

By Jenn Hatfield / July 15, 2024

Eric Thibault: ‘It was probably just a bigger version of what she’s always done’

Washington Mystics guard Ariel Atkins shoots a left-handed jump shot as a Minnesota Lynx defender tries to avoid making contact from behind.

‘It had been coming’: Explaining the Washington Mystics’ growth in their past 11 games

By Jenn Hatfield / July 11, 2024

On June 10, the Mystics were 0-12. Since then, they’ve had a winning record

Washington Mystics center Stefanie Dolson smiles, shouts and clenches both fists in celebration.

How Stefanie Dolson has impacted the Mystics behind — and beyond — the 3-point line

By Jenn Hatfield / July 4, 2024

‘She’s very, very good at what she does’

Washington Mystics guard Ariel Atkins sits on the court and claps her hands. Teammates Karlie Samuelson, Aaliyah Edwards and Stefanie Dolson yell in celebration, and Samuelson extends her hands to help Atkins up.

Defenses are throwing everything at Ariel Atkins. Here’s how the Mystics star hit her stride

By Jenn Hatfield / June 21, 2024

Atkins: ‘If I see an opening, I’m gonna take a shot’

Washington Mystics wings DiDi Richards and Karlie Samuelson face each other. They smile and shimmy, and Richards sticks her tongue out.

How DiDi Richards has put her stamp on Washington Mystics’ starting lineup introductions

By Jenn Hatfield / June 19, 2024

Karlie Samuelson: ‘You can rely on DiDi for anything fun’

Washington Mystics guard Julie Vanloo reaches her right arm out to the side to high-five center Stefanie Dolson, who is walking toward her.

‘We got the lid off’: Washington Mystics relieved to end 0-12 start

By Jenn Hatfield / June 13, 2024

And Brittney Sykes returns — then departs with another injury

Washington Mystics point guard Jade Melbourne yells in celebration after two quick 2-pointers. She points two fingers on each hand down at the ground.

21-year-old Jade Melbourne is a quick study for Washington Mystics

By Jenn Hatfield / June 11, 2024

Shatori Walker-Kimbrough: ‘I forget how young she is because of her composure’

Washington Mystics point guard Julie Vanloo talks to four of her teammates and uses her right hand to point away from their huddle. Her teammates have various serious expressions on their faces.

What the record doesn’t tell you about Washington Mystics’ 0-11 start

By Jenn Hatfield / June 8, 2024

They’ve hung around in almost every game, but it’s on to the next one