Liberty Can’t Stop the Holdsclaw Show

Defense, rebounding, a strong bench, no second-half turnovers and a tiring opponent kept the Washington Mystics in the game. Chamique Holdsclaw won it.

Holdsclaw had three consecutive brilliant plays in the final five minutes Thursday night to send the Mystics to a 79-74 victory over the New York Liberty at Washington in Game 1 of the WNBA Eastern Conference finals.

A give-and-go assist to Annie Burgess, a baseline move for a layup and a rifled backdoor pass to Stacey Dales-Schuman highlighted a 12-3 run that put the Mystics ahead for good.

“Our team was out there making shots, so I wasn’t really pressing on the offensive end,” said Holdsclaw, who had 20 points, nine rebounds and six assists. “Then, as time went down, I saw some opportunities to make some plays, and I just took it to the basket with confidence.”

The Mystics had 14 offensive rebounds and got 30 points from their reserves. The Mystics also had four days off after sweeping Charlotte, while the the top-seeded Liberty had only one day off after its three-game series victory over Indiana.

Game 2 on Saturday and Game 3, if necessary, on Sunday will be in New York.

Tari Phillips led New York with 21 points. Liberty guard Teresa Witherspoon sprained her left ankle but played on with it taped.

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Referee Bill Stokes, who collapsed Tuesday night during the Comet-Utah Starzz game at Houston, was “resting comfortably and improving daily,” his family said in a statement in which they also requested privacy.