Washington, D.C. — The Washington Mystics lit up the scoreboard Tuesday night, powered by breakout performances from rookies Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen, who both notched career highs to lead the Mystics to a commanding 103–86 win over the struggling Chicago Sky, who have now dropped six straight.
Citron exploded for 28 points, while Iriafen delivered 22 points and 10 rebounds, earning her eighth double-double of the season. The rookie duo set the tone for a fast-paced, high-energy night at Entertainment and Sports Arena, with veteran guard Brittney Sykes contributing an efficient 18 points of her own.
Mystics Find Their Groove
The Mystics (13–13) were locked in from the jump, shooting 51% from the field and knocking down 10 three-pointers. Their ball movement was crisp and intentional, finishing with 25 assists, including 16 in the first half alone.
Washington’s bench also came through, outscoring Chicago’s reserves 21–7. The Mystics built a 19-point lead in the third quarter and kept the Sky at arm’s length, even as Chicago made a late push to close the gap to eight points in the final minutes.
That’s when the Mystics responded decisively: Jade Melbourne converted a three-point play, Citron followed with another, and Iriafen added a basket to put the game out of reach at 100–84.
Sky Show Fight, But Fall Short
Despite the loss, Angel Reese returned to form after missing two games due to back soreness. The standout rookie put up 22 points and 13 rebounds, continuing her streak of double-doubles and demonstrating why she’s a force in the paint.
Kamilla Cardoso also posted strong numbers with 21 points and 10 rebounds, while Rachel Banham came off the bench to chip in 19 points for Chicago (7–19), which struggled to maintain defensive consistency throughout the game.
Game Flow
First Quarter: Citron closed the opening frame with seven straight points, giving Washington a 30–27 edge.
Second Quarter: The Mystics built a 39–21 lead with a 9–2 run highlighted by Sykes and a three from Lucy Olsen. Though the Sky battled back within one, the Mystics pulled away again to lead 55–47 at halftime.
Third Quarter: Washington’s offense stayed hot, building a 19-point cushion.
Fourth Quarter: Chicago trimmed the deficit late, but Washington’s clutch shot-making sealed the deal.
Up Next
Washington looks to stay hot as they continue their home stretch, while Chicago seeks to regroup and snap their skid in their next outing.
