12 standouts from Wednesday’s packed WNBA slate, including Caitlin Clark, Dearica Hamby, Jewell Loyd, and more

good morning, WNBA Hey fans! Wednesday night was a very busy schedule with five WNBA games that produced some surprising results.

Here are the final scores from yesterday's matches:

• The Washington Mystics (9-22) defeated the Chicago Sky (11-19) 74-70.
• The Indiana Fever (15-16) defeated the Connecticut Sun (22-8) 84-40.
• The Minnesota Lynx (23-8) defeated the Phoenix Mercury (16-16) 89-76.
• The Los Angeles Sparks (6-24) defeated the New York Liberty (26-5) 94-88.
• The Seattle Storm (18-11) defeated the Atlanta Dream (10-19) 85-81.

Wednesday's top performers were:

Kelsey MitchellIndiana Fever

Kelsey Mitchell has been in great form, and Wednesday night was no exception. She scored a game-high 23 points on 8-of-14 shooting, along with four rebounds, three assists and two blocks. She became the first player in franchise history to score 20 or more points in five consecutive games.

“Kelsey Mitchell is a special player,” Fever head coach Christy Sides said, “and right now the players around her are giving her the opportunity to play a lot more freely than she's ever been able to. She's playing with a lot of confidence.”

Dijonai CarringtonThe Connecticut Sun

Photo by Michael Hickey/NBAE via Getty Images

Carrington led the Sun in scoring with 19 points on 7-of-13 shooting from the field in Wednesday's win over the Fever. She also led the team's offense with six steals, four rebounds and two assists while guarding Caitlin Clark for most of the night.

“I thought she'd be a really good player for us,” Suns head coach Stephanie White said, “She's got that downhill ability, she's got the ability to get in, get out, in transition, get to the free-throw line. She wreaks havoc defensively, but she's got that explosiveness that we don't have. So we want her to continue to play what she does best defensively but also stay aggressive offensively.”

Caitlin ClarkIndiana Fever

Photo by Justin Castaline/Getty Images

Clark and the Fever have been on a roll since the Olympic break. In a big win over the Sun on Wednesday, Clark recorded 19 points (7-for-17 from the field), five rebounds and five assists, but also committed seven turnovers while being guarded by DiJonai Carrington.

With a minute and a half left in the game, Clarke got past the Suns' Veronica Barton for a game-winning layup. Connecticut didn't score after that. Though she's still not shooting the ball like we know she does, Clarke led the Fever offense against one of the league's best defenses.

“Definitely one of the most physical games I've ever played,” Clark said after the game.

Ariel AtkinsWashington Mystics

Photo: Amanda Roman/Getty Images

The Washington Mystics won three straight games for the first time this season, defeating the Sparks, Storm and Sky. On Wednesday, Ariel Atkins was key in the win over Chicago, recording 15 points (6-for-10 from the field), six rebounds and five assists. The Mystics finished with a 13-2 record.

“She looked really calm,” Mystics head coach Eric Thibault said, “and I think I said before, if there's a little bit of physical contact, it doesn't bother her that much, but maybe that helps her focus and concentrate on what she needs to do.”

Courtney WilliamsMinnesota Lynx

Photo: Chris Coduto/Getty Images

Courtney Williams has emerged as one of the most underrated players in the WNBA. The Lynx have won seven straight games, and Williams has been a big reason for that. In the win over the Mercury, she recorded 16 points (8-of-16 field goal attempts), five assists, three rebounds and two steals, while also being a team-best +25 in minutes played.

“I think my approach is to get in the pick-and-roll and make the shot when they get underneath,” Williams said, explaining his increased confidence on the offensive end. “If they let me in my spot, it's my job to make the shot, and that's what I've done.”

Dearica HambyLos Angeles Sparks

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While the Sparks have struggled this season, Dearica Hamby is averaging MVP-caliber 17.9 points, 9.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.5 steals on 51.4 percent shooting, and had 21 points (9-for-15 from the field), seven rebounds, five assists, three steals and one block in Wednesday's win over the Liberty.

Rekea JacksonLos Angeles Sparks

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Rikea Jackson continues to have an impressive rookie season. In the Sparks' win over Liberty, Jackson recorded 19 points (7-11 FG), 3 assists, 3 rebounds and 2 steals.

“It's remarkable how much she's improved over the course of the season,” Sparks head coach Kurt Miller said of the rookie. “She's competing so hard defensively right now. Tonight she was breaking through screens, switching and taking on guys bigger than her and making plays. There's absolute determination and commitment on that part of the court and it's really fun to watch. She's so dynamic and a three-level scorer that she doesn't get talked about.”

Ray BurrellLos Angeles Sparks

Photo: Caitlin Mulcahy/Getty Images

In the Sparks' win over the Liberty, Ray Burrell had a spectacular game, scoring a season-high 18 points on 7-for-8 shooting and making 3-for-3 three-pointers.

“Everybody enjoys seeing those shots go in,” Burrell said. “It makes you feel good. I'm happy that the team put me in a good position to make those shots and I'm happy that they congratulated me. I'm really happy with the support that the team had for me.”

Breanna StewartNew York Liberty

Photo: Caitlin Mulcahy/Getty Images

Breanna Stewart and Liberty suffered a surprising loss to the Sparks, but Stewart still had a great game. She finished with 32 points (11-of-19 field goal attempts), six rebounds and two steals.

“I think we can be a little more aggressive and a little smarter out there,” Stewart said. “We're putting ourselves in a bad situation, trying to get a home run or trying to score on the first side. I think it's on the starting pitchers and myself to be ready to get on base and know where the ball is going, so we need to grow in that aspect.”

Jewel LloydSeattle Storm

Photo: Amanda Roman/Getty Images

Jewel Loyd led the Storm to a win over the Dream on Wednesday with 28 points (8-for-22 from the field), six rebounds, three assists and three steals. She also hit a game-winning 3-pointer with 28 seconds left in the game to give Atlanta a one-point lead.

“It was a great setup. I told Nneka I had to make the shot because the screen was so good,” Lloyd said. “The theme tonight was just teamwork. Everybody made big plays and big shots. That's what we needed. Great pass, great screen. And I was able to make that shot.”

Tina CharlesAtlanta Dream

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Tina Charles In Wednesday's loss to the Storm, she recorded the franchise's first triple-double, finishing with 19 points (8-of-15 from the field), 17 rebounds, 10 assists and four steals.

“She continues to make history,” Storm head coach Noel Quinn said.

After sitting out the WNBA last season, Charles was thrilled with her success this year.

“I just give the glory to God,” Charles said. “Where I was last year and now where I am back in the WNBA, I just thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I'm so grateful. I wish I could have won, but at this age in my career, I'm just amazed. I'm so emotional, but I give it all to God.”

Nneka OgwumikeSeattle Storm

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Nneka Ogwumike has been the Storm's most consistent player this season, and Wednesday was no exception. Ogwumike recorded 18 points (8-of-15 from the field), six rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block in the win over the Dream. Head coach Noel Quinn praised the Storm's effort, especially in light of Monday's disappointing loss to the Mystics.

“It's a night and day difference,” Quinn said. “We spent a day and a half talking about the proper mindset and attitude to be professional, and I think our team executed on that.”