Mystics Halt Liberty's Winning Streak with Dramatic 86-83 Victory

NEW YORK (AP) — The Washington Mystics, the youngest squad in WNBA history, showcased their rapid development by defeating the New York Liberty 86-83 on Friday night, ending New York's impressive eight-game winning streak. This victory also marked the end of Washington's ten-game regular-season losing streak against the Liberty, a drought that dated back to 2023.

In a thrilling finish, the Mystics pulled off a remarkable comeback, largely thanks to the contributions of second-year players Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen. After missing several games due to a sprained ankle, Iriafen returned to make a significant impact, scoring nine points in the final four minutes, including the decisive basket with just 27 seconds remaining. "I think this one was huge for us," Iriafen remarked. "We know they are a great team, but again we have so much fight and we think we can beat anyone, regardless of who they have."

Washington's coach, Sydney Johnson, praised his team's growth, reflecting on their recent challenges. "We lost a heartbreaker against Indiana... We are trying to find ways where we can get better. I'm proud of them," he said, noting their resilience throughout the season.

The Mystics, who are slightly younger than the 2020 New York team that averaged just over 24 years in age, have now evened their record at .500. This marks a significant step for Washington, which hasn't finished above this threshold since their championship run with Elena Delle Donne in 2019. Citron expressed confidence in the team's potential, stating, "I think right now we're just trying to prove that we can be consistent and deliver this kind of game on a consistent basis."