The Washington Mystics hosted the reigning WNBA champion New York Liberty on Thursday night at CareFirst Arena, aiming to halt a two-game losing skid. Despite an energetic start led by their rookie duo, the Mystics ultimately fell 86-78 to the Liberty, who extended their unbeaten run to 8-0 this season.
Washington’s young talents shined early, with rookies Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron combining for 18 of the Mystics’ 22 first-quarter points. Iriafen, the WNBA Rookie of the Month, scored 11 points in the opening frame, while Citron added seven points and two rebounds. This strong start gave the Mystics a 22-17 lead heading into the second quarter.
However, the Liberty responded emphatically in the second quarter, outscoring Washington 32-12, including a decisive 20-4 run that swung momentum firmly in their favor. This surge allowed New York to take a commanding 15-point lead into halftime. Breanna Stewart spearheaded the Liberty’s attack with 14 points and five rebounds by the break, demonstrating why she remains a dominant force in the league.
Washington fought back in the third quarter, narrowing the deficit to nine points midway through the period. But New York maintained control, pushing their lead to 16 points going into the final frame. The Mystics mounted a late rally in the fourth quarter, but it was not enough to overcome the Liberty’s resilience, who closed out the game to preserve their perfect record.
Breanna Stewart led all scorers with 26 points and also secured 11 rebounds, registering a double-double that proved crucial in New York’s victory. Sabrina Ionescu, despite struggling with her shooting (3-for-17), contributed 13 points and seven assists. Notably, Ionescu also etched her name in the Liberty’s record books by becoming the franchise’s all-time leader in made three-pointers, surpassing Crystal Robinson with her 401st career three-pointer. She was presented with the game ball to commemorate the milestone, reflecting on the achievement: “In the moment, I don’t think I’ve really realized, but maybe after the season, it’s one of those things that it’s pretty cool.”
The Liberty faced adversity early when Jonquel Jones rolled her right ankle just over two minutes into the game, forcing her to exit and miss the remainder of the contest. Despite this setback, New York’s bench stepped up impressively. Rebekah Gardner posted a team-best plus-14 rating in just over 12 minutes, Isabelle Harrison contributed seven points, five rebounds, and two steals, and former Mystic Kennedy Burke was perfect from beyond the arc, hitting all four of her three-point attempts for 12 points.
Washington’s shooting woes from deep also played a role in their defeat, as the Mystics managed just 26.3 percent from three-point range. The frontcourt rotation remains a work in progress for Washington coach Sydney Johnson, who is carefully managing minutes for key players to protect their long-term health. Shakira Austin, who logged nearly 23 minutes against the Liberty after averaging about 11 minutes in previous games, scored nine points and grabbed 11 rebounds. Austin acknowledged the cautious approach, stating, “If that’s what he says, yes, that’s the plan. It doesn’t matter how I feel. It’s about what the coach feels, and that’s what he’s going to do. So he’s going to do what’s best for the team.”
Aaliyah Edwards, who played nearly 13 minutes after averaging 16.8 minutes in prior games, is also being gradually integrated back into the lineup. Coach Johnson emphasized the long-term perspective: “We’re trying to take the long view here… It’s more of just like long-term development and making sure we don’t overdo it with the both of them missing good bits of training camp and just not trying to stack too much.”
Despite the loss, the Mystics’ rookie stars showed promise. Sonia Citron finished with 13 points, five rebounds, and three assists, while Kiki Iriafen led the team with 17 points and nine rebounds. Their performances highlight the potential foundation for Washington’s future success.
The Liberty’s victory marked their second win over Washington in just six days, underscoring their dominance in this budding rivalry. New York also improved to 2-0 in Commissioner’s Cup games, while the Mystics fell to 0-2 in this midseason tournament.
Looking ahead, the Liberty will return to Brooklyn to host the Chicago Sky on Tuesday night at 8 p.m. ET, televised on ESPN. The game promises to be an emotional occasion as Courtney Vandersloot, a veteran of the Sky, will receive her championship ring from last season with the Liberty.
As for Washington, the Mystics face the challenge of regrouping after their third straight loss. With a 3-6 record, they will be eager to build on the encouraging signs from their rookies and find consistency as the season progresses.
Thursday’s game was a vivid reminder of the Liberty’s championship pedigree and depth, even when key players like Jonquel Jones are sidelined. Meanwhile, the Mystics continue to develop a young core that could shape their trajectory in the coming years. For now, New York’s unbeaten streak remains intact, while Washington looks to turn the page and chase their first win since late May.
