Game Recap: Mystics Fall to Sun in Final Game of Season Series

Fri, Aug 22, 2025, 6:43 PM

Photo by Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images

The Washington Mystics dropped their second straight game to the Connecticut Sun on Thursday night, falling 67-56 at Mohegan Sun Arena. The result evens the season series at two wins apiece.

Here’s how the matchup unfolded Thursday evening.

First Quarter
Washington opened with energy on both ends, as rookie Kiki Iriafen set the tone with four points, two rebounds, and a steal while Shakira Austin added three boards, a block, and a steal to anchor the defense. The Mystics battled through an early 10-4 run from Connecticut, led by Tina Charles’ seven points and three rebounds, and trailed 16-11 after the opening period.

Second Quarter
The Mystics fell behind by as many as 14, but showed resilience to close the half strong. Over the final 3:53 of the quarter, Washington outscored the Sun 10-3 to climb back into the game. Iriafen led the way at the break with nine points and four rebounds, while Sonia Citron added seven. Despite shooting just 9-of-24 from the field in the first half, the Mystics stayed within reach, trailing 33-26 at intermission.

Third Quarter
Out of halftime, Washington continued to fight, but Charles caught fire for Connecticut, scoring 12 points in the quarter to keep the Mystics at arm’s length. Iriafen, meanwhile, added another milestone to her rookie campaign, recording her 25th game with at least 10 points and five rebounds — tying Chamique Holdsclaw for the most such games by a Mystics rookie. Washington entered the final frame down 56-46.

Fourth Quarter
The Mystics looked to mount one more comeback but couldn’t overcome the Sun’s steady offense. Connecticut stretched its lead to 15 midway through the period and held firm the rest of the way, sealing the 67-56 win. Charles finished with a game-high 21 points, while Washington’s rookie duo of Iriafen and Citron combined for 28. Iriafen closed with 13 points and 10 rebounds, marking her 13th double-double of the season.

Game Notes

Sonia Citron led the Mystics with 15 points on 5-of-9 shooting, extending her streak of double-digit scoring games to 13 — the second-longest active run among WNBA rookies. The rookie guard now holds both the third- and fourth-longest double-digit streaks in franchise history and tied Breanna Stewart (2016) for the fifth-most double-digit games by a rookie in league history with 31. Citron also became just the third rookie in Mystics history to hit a three-pointer in 11 consecutive games, joining Julie Vanloo (2024) and Li Meng (2023). Her 11-game streak from beyond the arc is tied with Las Vegas’ Jewell Loyd for the longest active three-point streak in the WNBA.

Kiki Iriafen continued her strong rookie campaign with 13 points and a team-high 10 rebounds, securing her 13th double-double of the season. She has now grabbed 10 or more rebounds in six straight games, the longest streak by a Mystics rookie and tied for the second-longest by any rookie in WNBA history. Iriafen also became the first Mystics rookie to record 13 games with at least 10 points and 10 rebounds, ranking third in franchise history for a single season. Her 13 such performances are tied for seventh most by a rookie in league history.

Emily Engstler provided a spark off the bench once again, extending her streak to six straight games with at least one block and one steal. That run is the longest such streak by a Mystics reserve and the second-longest in WNBA history. Engstler’s defensive consistency has also put her in rare company, as her eight-game steal streak is tied for the second-longest by a reserve in Mystics history (Matee Ajavon, 2010). She has now blocked at least one shot in six consecutive outings, recording multiple blocks in three of them.

Sug Sutton continued to orchestrate the offense with six assists, marking her fourth game with five or more assists in the last five contests. She now has nine games this season with at least five assists, underscoring her role as the team’s playmaking engine.

Stefanie Dolson knocked down a three-pointer for the sixth straight game, her longest streak of the season and the third-longest of her career. Dolson’s career-best mark came in 2024, when she hit a triple in eight consecutive games.