A  scrimmage is not uncommon in the WNBA this time of year, especially as teams gear up for another new season. But the scrimmage that took place in Washington Tuesday between the Lynx and Mystics was anything but a normal scrimmage.

The game, which was tabbed as an “analytics” scrimmage, came at the suggestion of Mystics owner Ted Leonsis. He believes the altered rules will provide insight into ways the game of basketball can be improved.

In a basketball world where the three-point shot is valued perhaps more than it ever has been, the scrimmage’s altered scoring rules were aimed at gaining a better understanding of three-pointers and points in the paint.

“There is a lot of theory that’s talked about regarding analytics, but there really is not a lot of real-life labs where you can really see it,” Leonsis explained to reporters. “You can report and analyze what happened in the past, but it’s difficult to see how some of these plans that you can implement only in a scrimmage format for now would really mean.”

VIDEO: Leonsis addresses the media to example the analytics scrimmage

The scrimmage consisted of two periods with various changes to the rules. The first period placed an emphasis on scoring and scoring locations.

Mid-range jumpers resulted in a loss of possession, and the only points that counted in the first period of the scrimmage were points scored in the paint, the extended low block and three-point baskets.

The second period was aimed at analyzing how different rule changes affect the pace of play. The shot clock was moved to 20 seconds and reset to 14 seconds when either team pulled down an offensive rebound. In two-point free-throw situations, one point was automatically granted and an extra free throw was granted for the chance at an additional point.

In three-point free-throw situations, two points were automatically granted and an extra free throw was granted for the chance at an additional point. Players that were fouled after making a basket were also given one free throw.

Both teams were allowed to advance the ball once in the second period, which meant they could stop play and advance the ball to the 28′ mark. They were also each given one timeout.

Each period lasted 10 minutes.

“We scored 48 points in two quarters,” Washington guard Kara Lawson told the Associated Press. “You can probably count on one hand the amount of halves that prolific in the last couple of years. Small sample size, but it did increase the scoring.”

MORE COVERAGE:

Click here to read the full AP recap

Star Tribune: Lynx’s scrimmage with Mystics focused on analytics, not rules

WashingtonPost: What is an analytics scrimmage?

Nylon Calculus: Notes from “The Analytics Scrimmage”