Most projected that the Washington Mystics can be among the many WNBA’s worst — if not the worst — this season. The Mystics remained quiet by means of free company and traded away one in all their prime gamers in Ariel Atkins. Then, the purpose guard they drafted, Georgia Amoore, tore her ACL at coaching camp.
However, by means of two video games, the Mystics have been maybe one of many league’s most constructive surprises. They opened up the season with a 4-point win in opposition to the Atlanta Dream, and adopted that up with a 5-point win over the Connecticut Solar.
Up to now, the crew has been led by Brittney Sykes, who battled a slew of accidents final season. Sykes is averaging 24.5 factors and 6 assists per sport.
And, their two first-round rookie alternatives — Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen — have been phenomenal. Citron, who was picked third out of Notre Dame, is averaging 17 factors on a ridiculous 64.7% taking pictures, together with 40% from three. Iriafen, who was picked fifth, is averaging 15.5 factors on 55% taking pictures, along with 9 rebounds.
These rooks are one thing particular
Kiki Iriafen: 17 PTS, 14 REB, 7-10 FG (career-highs)
Sonia Citron: 15 PTS, 3 AST, 2 STL, 5-10 FGTheir large time buckets within the 4Q helped push the Mystics to a 2-0 begin this season!#WelcometotheW pic.twitter.com/z3npqULnGT
— WNBA (@WNBA) Could 18, 2025
“I completely love taking part in with Sonia,” Iriafen stated after the season opener. “She’s so selfless, and he or she had a quiet 20 factors. The best way that she performs, she’s simply so composed.”
Returning guard Jade Melbourne has additionally been key; Melbourne has averaged 13 factors, 3.5 rebounds, and a couple of.5 assists per sport, capitalizing on the elevated backcourt alternatives.
All of this has been executed with out two of the crew’s promising younger publish gamers, Aaliyah Edwards and Shakira Austin. Edwards missed the primary two video games of the season with a decrease again contusion, whereas Austin missed one sport with a proper leg harm and was ejected simply minutes into one other. After they return, the crew’s margin of error will solely enhance, as will their means to deal with fiercer competitors.
The competitors that the Mystics have confronted has been comparatively weak — the Solar had been additionally anticipated to be one of many league’s backside feeders, whereas the Dream will probably be a middle-of-the-pack one. They now embark on a three-game street journey that begins in opposition to the Golden State Valkyries, which positions them properly for an unlikely 3-0 start thinking about the Valkyries’ early struggles because the WNBA’s growth crew.
It’s nonetheless very early, however the rookie duo of Citron and Iriafen has gotten off to a quick begin. Sykes appears like a possible All-Star, and the Mystics might show a number of analysts unsuitable who projected them to be among the many league’s worst.
