The Washington Mystics defeated the Los Angeles Sparks 95-86 on Sunday afternoon at CareFirst Arena.

Shakira Austin returned to the starting lineup after missing the last three games due to left leg soreness. Jacy Sheldon (ankle) remained sidelined for a second straight game. Los Angeles's Cameron Brink was on a minute restriction for Sunday's matchup.

In her return, Austin gave the Mystics an element the team was missing over the past week, as she finished with 14 points, six rebounds, one steal, and one block. The rookie All-Star duo of Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen once again helped pave the way as both No. 1 picks would combine for 42 points. At the same time, four Mystics starters, Citron, Iriafen, Austin, and Jade Melbourne finished in double scoring figures. Los Angeles' Dearica Hamby and Kelsey Plum combined for 51 points, with Hamby leading all scorers with 26 points.

Here is the full recap from Sunday’s action.

Game Recap

Washington set the tone early in a back-and-forth first quarter, with Shakira Austin scoring seven quick points and teaming up with Alysha Clark for 10 of the Mystics’ early points. A 5-0 spurt capped by a deep Clark three created some separation, and Washington closed the frame shooting 9-of-13 from the field to take a 23-18 lead, while Rickea Jackson paced Los Angeles with 8 points.

The Mystics carried that momentum into the second, opening with back-to-back threes from Sonia Citron and Sug Sutton to push the advantage to 30-20. The Sparks briefly closed the gap behind Dearica Hamby and Azurá Stevens, but Stefanie Dolson and Austin answered to restore an 11-point cushion, and Washington maintained control the rest of the way. Kiki Iriafen added seven points in the final five minutes, with Jade Melbourne and Sutton each connecting from deep, sending the Mystics into halftime ahead 53-41.

Austin and Iriafen combined for 21 points at the break, while Jackson and Rae Burrell accounted for 23 for Los Angeles. Washington shot 18-of-30 from the field, including 7-of-13 from beyond the arc, and led by as many as 14 in the opening half.

The third quarter saw the Mystics push their lead back to 14 on quick baskets from Iriafen and Melbourne, continuing to answer each time the Sparks scored. Los Angeles strung together a 7-2 run, with Hamby providing four of those points, to cut the deficit to nine, but Washington quickly rebuilt its cushion. Citron then took command late, scoring eight points in the period and drilling back-to-back threes in the final minute to send the Mystics into the fourth ahead 77-65. The rookie’s surge also marked her 29th game in double figures, setting a new franchise record.

Washington opened the final frame with a push, as Kelsey Plum poured in six quick points to spark a 14-5 run that cut the margin to 79-71 just over three and a half minutes in. Citron answered with her fourth three-pointer, but Los Angeles came right back with an 8-0 run fueled by three Hamby baskets to pull within three. Once again, Citron delivered, knocking down another triple to steady the Mystics and, in the process, passing Nikki McCray for the second-most points by a rookie in franchise history.

With 4:29 remaining and Washington up 87-81, Iriafen secured her 10th rebound off a missed jumper, completing her 12th double-double of the season with 16 points and 10 boards, while also setting a new rookie franchise record with six 15+ point and 10+ rebound games this season

“She’s just a double-double machine,” Citron said during a postgame interview. “Every single day, day in and day out, she’s producing results for us. She’s a monster under the basket, a real force to be reckoned with, and she gives everything to our team.”

Despite being outscored 21-18 in the period and the Sparks shooting 55.6 percent, Washington held firm down the stretch to secure a 95-86 victory.

Play of the Game

Turning Point

An impressive second quarter that saw the Mystics outscore the Sparks 30-23 and take full command of the matchup. Washington shot 5-of-9 from deep and 52.9% from the field overall. Iriafen and Sutton led the way, combining for 13 points to help build a 12-point lead going into halftime.

Stat Leaders

Points:

Rebounds:

Assists:

Game Notes

Looking Ahead

Washington will return home on Tuesday night to host the Connecticut Sun, with tip-off at 7:30. The Mystics are 2-0 this season against the Sun, with the most recent matchup occurring on June 8, a 104-67 win for Washington.