Kiki Iriafen Powers Mystics to Victory Over Liberty, Ending Eight-Game Streak

NEW YORK (AP) — Kiki Iriafen made a triumphant return to the court, scoring 20 points and delivering a crucial layup with 27 seconds remaining to lead the Washington Mystics to an 86-83 victory against the New York Liberty on Friday night. This win marked the end of the Liberty's eight-game winning streak.

With the score tied at 83, Iriafen received a pass from Sonia Citron and laid the ball in, putting the Mystics ahead. Breanna Stewart attempted to respond for New York but missed a challenging layup with just 14 seconds to go. Iriafen then converted one of her two free throw attempts, extending Washington's lead. New York had opportunities to equalize, but Sabrina Ionescu and Satou Sabally both missed their three-point attempts.

Having missed the previous three games due to an ankle injury suffered against Indiana on June 8, Iriafen's return was pivotal for the Mystics. This victory also ended a 10-game regular-season losing streak against New York, with Washington's last win over the Liberty in the regular season dating back to the end of the 2023 season.

Leonie Fiebich contributed 19 points, while Stewart recorded a double-double with 16 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists for New York. The game saw the Mystics trailing 77-71 midway through the fourth quarter, but Iriafen's six consecutive points sparked a 10-2 run, giving them an 81-79 advantage with just over a minute left. After Ionescu tied the game again, Citron's two free throws put Washington back in front.

The Mystics' performance contrasts sharply with their last meeting against the Liberty, where they suffered an 86-64 defeat without Iriafen. New York's bench played a significant role in the first half, contributing 20 out of the team's 43 points, leading to a narrow 43-39 halftime score.

Looking ahead, the Mystics are set to begin a home-and-home series against the Lynx in Minnesota on Sunday, while the Liberty will hit the road for a four-game trip, starting with a matchup against the Sparks in Los Angeles, a rematch of the inaugural WNBA game from 30 years ago.