WNBA rare quadruple overtime! Mystics narrowly beat Flames; Sykes 32-6-4, Latta 32-6-9

June 29, Beijing time — the Washington Mystics won 124-123 over the Portland Flames in a WNBA regular-season contest that stretched into quadruple overtime. Data shows this marks just the second time in league history a game has required four extra periods. The first instance was on July 4, 2001, when the Mystics defeated the Storm 72-69.

In this four-overtime battle, the Mystics' Sykes posted 32 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists; Ojevira had 30 points, 5 boards, and 5 dimes; Iliafen contributed 27 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists. The Flames also had three players score 20-plus: Latta with 32 points, 6 rebounds, and 9 assists; Buck with 25 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists; and Gustafson with 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists. The game lasted 60 minutes, with multiple players fouling out, but the Flames ultimately could not secure the victory.

Neither team built a significant lead in the first three quarters. With eight seconds left in the fourth, Flores missed two free throws; Latta grabbed the rebound, went coast-to-coast, and hit a buzzer-beating three-pointer! Regulation ended 87-87, sending the game to overtime.

The first overtime saw alternating scores: Onionwell and Gustafson each hit deep three-pointers, while Latta and Iliafen responded with fast-break layups. With 25 seconds left, Onionwell drained a three to make it 99-96; 18 seconds later, Latta immediately answered with a triple, tying the game again at 99. The Mystics failed to get a shot off on their final possession, forcing a second overtime.

The second overtime stalled offensively until 1:30 remained, when Buck scored a layup to tie it at 101. Fourteen seconds later, Latta assisted Buck for another two points. On the next possession, Sykes drove for a layup to make it 103-103. The Flames had no good look in the final 10 seconds, pushing the game to a third overtime.

With 2:19 left in the third overtime, Nestler fouled out after grabbing a team-high 11 rebounds. In the closing seconds of the third OT, Carlton hit a turnaround jumper to tie the game at 116, sending it to a fourth overtime.

Just two minutes into the fourth overtime, Carlton fouled out with 16 points. With 1:37 remaining, Iliafen also fouled out, finishing with a double-double of 27 points and 11 rebounds. With 52 seconds left in the fourth OT, Gustafson fouled out on an illegal screen call, having scored 20 points and 4 assists. With just seconds left, Latta missed her second free throw, leaving the Flames trailing 123-124. Sierra Williams grabbed the offensive rebound, and head coach Alex Sarama called a timeout.

The Flames ultimately could not execute a game-winner, and the Mystics survived this grueling marathon.