{"id":3271,"date":"2025-08-19T20:23:09","date_gmt":"2025-08-19T20:23:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dbltakesports.com\/?p=3271"},"modified":"2025-11-04T16:16:48","modified_gmt":"2025-11-04T16:16:48","slug":"citron-iriafen-power-mystics-to-statement-win-over-sparks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dbltakesports.com\/index.php\/2025\/08\/19\/citron-iriafen-power-mystics-to-statement-win-over-sparks\/","title":{"rendered":"Citron, Iriafen Power Mystics to Statement Win Over Sparks"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Washington Mystics delivered one of their sharpest performances of the season in a 95\u201386 win over the Los Angeles Sparks at Entertainment & Sports Arena. Washington controlled the game from start to finish, shooting 59.3 percent from the field \u2014 the fifth-highest mark in franchise history \u2014 and recording a season-high 30 assists on 35 made baskets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rookie guard Sonia Citron once again stole the spotlight, pouring in 24 points with five three-pointers and 10 points in the fourth quarter. Her scoring milestone night pushed her to 518 points this season, passing Nikki McCray for second-most by a Mystics rookie. Citron also became the third rookie in team history to top 500 points and set a new franchise rookie record with her 29th double-digit scoring game, surpassing Chamique Holdsclaw\u2019s 28 in 1999.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kiki Iriafen gave the Mystics another dominant effort in the paint with 18 points and 10 rebounds, registering her fourth consecutive double-double. She now holds the franchise record for most 15-point, 10-rebound games by a rookie (six) and added a career-best seven made free throws.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The win also marked the return of Shakira Austin<\/a>, who provided 14 points, six rebounds, and her usual defensive presence. Sug Sutton ran the offense with seven assists, Alysha Clark stepped up with season-highs in both rebounds (7) and assists (6) off the bench, and Jade Melbourne contributed 11 points and four assists for her best stretch of the year. Emily Engstler continued her energy streak as well, adding steals and rim protection in limited minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Washington\u2019s depth and ball movement proved too much for Los Angeles<\/a>. The Mystics hit 11 three-pointers, had four players score in double figures, and improved to 11\u20134 this season when at least four players reach double digits. They also held the Sparks to just 15 rebounds, the fewest by any Mystics opponent this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This win showcased not only the rookies\u2019 rise but also a complete team effort \u2014 one that could be crucial as the Mystics continue their playoff push.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Mystics never trailed in a 95\u201386 win over the Sparks, fueled by rookie standouts Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen. Washington shot a season-best 59.3% from the field and tallied 30 assists, showcasing one of their most complete team efforts of the year.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3273,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[10],"tags":[113,172,112,102,26],"class_list":["post-3271","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-wnba","tag-kiki-iriafen","tag-shakira-austin","tag-sonia-citron","tag-washington-mystics","tag-wnba"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t