{"id":3092,"date":"2025-05-17T14:49:35","date_gmt":"2025-05-17T14:49:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dbltakesports.com\/?p=3092"},"modified":"2025-07-10T13:59:11","modified_gmt":"2025-07-10T13:59:11","slug":"mystics-win-season-opener-behind-sykes-and-rookie-duo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dbltakesports.com\/index.php\/2025\/05\/17\/mystics-win-season-opener-behind-sykes-and-rookie-duo\/","title":{"rendered":"Mystics Win Season Opener Behind Sykes and Rookie Duo"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Washington Mystics couldn\u2019t have asked for a better start to the 2025 WNBA season<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Led by a balanced offensive attack and historic rookie performances, the Mystics defeated the Atlanta Dream in their season opener, giving Head Coach Sydney Johnson a win in his franchise debut. It also marked Washington\u2019s third season-opening victory in the last four years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Veteran guard Brittney Sykes led the charge with 22 points and five assists, notching her ninth career game with 20+ points and 5+ assists, and her fourth such performance as a Mystic. Sykes looked in control all night, setting the tone for a team that saw contributions across the board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rookie guard Sonia Citron<\/a> turned heads in her WNBA debut, scoring 19 points on an ultra-efficient 6-of-7 shooting, along with two rebounds and two assists. Her scoring output tied Nikki McCray for the second-most points in a rookie debut in franchise history. Citron also became the first Mystics rookie since Diamond Miller to post at least 17 points on .850+ shooting, joining franchise standouts Alana Beard and Shakira Austin in that exclusive category.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Joining her in the spotlight was fellow rookie Kiki Iriafen, who chipped in 14 points of her own, the sixth-highest scoring debut by a Mystics rookie. Together, Citron and Iriafen became just the second rookie duo in franchise history to score in double figures in their first career games, a feat last accomplished by Chamique Holdsclaw and Shalonda Enis in 1999.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Furthermore, Sug Sutton made her presence felt in her first start with Washington, tying her career high with three steals. Jade Melbourne added 11 points and a team-best five rebounds off the bench, tying her career high for first-half points with ten and providing key energy throughout the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In total, five Mystics players scored in double figures, just the second time in franchise history that has occurred in a season opener. The team shot over 50% from both the field and beyond the arc, marking their most efficient shooting performance since September 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Mystics also dominated several other categories:<\/p>\n\n\n\n