Mystics Dominate Sky 103-86 Behind Career Nights from Citron and Iriafen

The Washington Mystics delivered a commanding 103-86 victory over the Chicago Sky at CareFirst Arena on Tuesday night, powered by career-high performances from rookies Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen. The win improved Washington to 13-13 on the season while extending Chicago’s losing streak to six games, dropping them to 7-19.

Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown

First Quarter: Mystics 30, Sky 27 Washington got off to a hot start behind Citron’s explosive scoring. The rookie guard poured in 12 points on efficient 5-of-6 shooting, including 2-of-2 from three-point range, capping the quarter by scoring the final seven Washington points to give the Mystics a 30-27 advantage.

Second Quarter: Mystics 55, Sky 47 The Mystics extended their lead in the second period with a balanced offensive attack. Brittney Sykes contributed with two baskets inside, while Lucy Olsen connected from deep to spark a decisive 9-2 run that gave Washington their largest lead of the half at 39-21. Despite Chicago’s efforts to cut into the deficit, the Mystics maintained control and took a 55-47 lead into halftime. Washington shot an impressive 59% from the field in the first half, connecting on 6-of-13 three-pointers while dishing out 16 assists on 20 made baskets.

Third Quarter: Mystics 80, Sky 65 Washington continued to pull away in the third quarter, building their advantage to as many as 19 points. The Mystics’ offensive efficiency remained high as they shot 50.7% for the game, while their defense limited Chicago’s scoring opportunities.

Fourth Quarter: Final 103-86 The Sky made one final push in the fourth quarter, cutting the deficit to just eight points with 3:22 remaining. However, the Mystics responded immediately with clutch plays from their young stars. Jade Melbourne and Citron each converted three-point plays, sandwiching a basket from Iriafen to extend the lead to 100-84 and effectively seal the victory.

Player Statistics

Washington Mystics (13-13)

Sonia Citron: 28 points (10-15 FG, 5-6 3PT, 3-3 FT), 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block

Career-high scoring performance in just 29 minutes
Shot 66.7% from the field and 83.3% from three-point range

Kiki Iriafen: 22 points (8-14 FG, 0-0 3PT, 6-8 FT), 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals

Recorded her eighth double-double of the season
Perfect from three-point range in limited attempts

Brittney Sykes: 18 points (6-11 FG, 1-3 3PT, 5-5 FT), 2 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals

Veteran leadership with efficient shooting and playmaking

Lucy Olsen: 6 points (2-4 FG, 2-4 3PT), 1 rebound, 2 assists

Key contributor off the bench with timely three-pointers

Shakira Austin: 6 points (3-8 FG, 0-1 3PT), 6 rebounds, 3 assists

Chicago Sky (7-19)

Angel Reese: 22 points (6-16 FG, 0-1 3PT, 10-11 FT), 13 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, 2 blocks

Returned from a two-game absence due to back issues
Double-double performance but couldn’t prevent the loss

Kamilla Cardoso: 21 points (8-16 FG, 0-0 3PT, 5-6 FT), 10 rebounds

Strong interior presence with another double-double effort

Rachel Banham: 19 points (8-14 FG, 3-8 3PT), 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals

Led the Sky’s perimeter attack with efficient three-point shooting

Rebecca Allen: 10 points (4-7 FG, 2-4 3PT), 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal

Solid contribution from the guard position

Key Stats and Notes

Washington shot 50.7% from the field compared to Chicago’s 45.1%
The Mystics connected on 10 three-pointers at a 41.7% clip, while the Sky managed just 6-of-19 (31.6%)
Washington’s bench outscored Chicago’s reserves 21-7, providing crucial depth
The Mystics recorded 25 assists on 36 made field goals, showcasing excellent ball movement
Chicago was hampered by injuries, with several players listed as DNP due to various ailments

The victory represents a significant statement for the Mystics, who continue to battle for playoff positioning in the competitive Eastern Conference. For Chicago, the loss extends their struggles as they work to find consistency in what has been a challenging season marked by injuries and roster turnover.

Washington’s young core of Citron and Iriafen continues to develop, with Tuesday’s performance highlighting their potential as franchise cornerstones. The Mystics will look to build on this momentum as they push toward the postseason, while the Sky face the challenge of breaking out of their current skid with limited time remaining in the regular season.

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