Jessie Kenlaw’s task was simple in her first game as interim Mystics head coach, change the mindset of a team that was on the brink of collapse after two blowout losses by a combined 58 points.
With a remarkable 89-57 demolition of WNBA Western Conference-leading Seattle, the second-biggest margin of victory in Mystics history, the mission already has morphed into sustaining the competitive spirit that finally materialized in front of 8,543 at Verizon Center.
“Jessie is a fiery coach,” said Mystics guard Alana Beard (9 points, 9 assists). “She’s about energy. When she gives her pregame speeches, I’m ready to run through a wall for her. It’s almost like you start to take on that personality.”
The mirror itself was as equally responsible, as the entire Mystics roster showed unselfishness on both offense and defense, combining for a season-high 23 assists while forcing the Storm (15-8) into 24 turnovers.
“There was nothing to lose,” said Mystics forward Taj McWilliams-Franklin. “We have to win games. That’s the bottom line. I think [Mystics managing partner] Dr. [Sheila] Johnson could’ve coached us, and we would’ve responded.”
McWilliams-Franklin led the way with 22 points, including a perfect 5-for-5 shooting (two 3-pointers) during a second quarter in which Washington (9-14)blitzed the Storm by a 25-8 margin. Monique Currie added 12 points and five other players had at least eight.
“Jessie said it best in practice yesterday,” said Beard. “She said, ‘I don’t know what’s going to happen with me, but you know what — I’m going down fighting.’ That’s the same with us.”
Kenlaw, who came to Washington this season after a four-year stint in Seattle, said before the game she hadn’t asked to take over for Tree Rollins, who was fired on Saturday, and hadn’t even considered the idea of being named head coach on a permanent basis.
“I don’t know anything about the interim,” said Kenlaw. “I haven’t even had a chance to think any more about nothing but this game today. This happened yesterday. They asked me if I would step in, and I did.”
