The Mystics fell to 2-2 with Friday’s defeat
The Washington Mystics lost to the Las Vegas Aces 75–72 at Michelob ULTRA Arena on Friday, May 23, 2025, to fall to 2-2 on the season.
A balanced scoring effort propelled Washington to an early 18-16 lead after the opening frame. That advantage continued as the Mystics grew a 10-point lead behind seven points and six rebounds from rookie forward Kiki Iriafen and a pair of triple from rookie guard Sonia Citron.
That lead was short-lived, as Las Vegas stormed back with a 13-5 run to trim their deficit to two points entering the final minutes of the first half. The Mystics responded with a 9-2 run of their own to enter the break ahead, 42-33. Iriafen led all scorers with 11 points and seven rebounds.
Citron and Jade Melbourne each drilled for a pair of buckets midway through the third to keep Washington ahead by double-digits. The Mystics maintained a 59-50 lead entering the final quarter as they looked to knock off the Aces.
Defense dominated the opening minutes of the fourth, as Washington led 63-55 with 5:54 remaining in regulation. With Las Vegas hanging around, the Mystics’ rookies stepped up down the stretch. Iriafen grabbed an offensive rebound en route to a put-back layup before Citron sank a clutch and-1 layup to grow Washington’s lead to nine with 3:49 remaining.
The Aces didn’t go down easily. Jackie Young and Dana Evans embarked on a 7-0 run to make it a 68-66 Mystics lead with two minutes to play as Michelob ULTRA Arena came alive. Citron, like she’d done all night, silenced the crowd once more with a clutch 3-pointer to give Washington some breathing room before Melbourne sank 1-of-2 free throws for a 72-66 advantage.
Young drilled a pair of free throws before grabbing a steal and drilling a layup to trim the deficit to just two. An ensuing Mystics shot-clock violation gave Las Vegas a chance to tie or take the lead with 15.2 seconds remaining. With the game on the line, Young delivered to knot the game at 72.
With 7.2 seconds remaining, Las Vegas’ Kiah Stokes was called for a shooting foul, which coach Becky Hammon swiftly challenged. The call was overturned to a clean block and Las Vegas gained possession with a chance to win the game.
Jewell Lloyd drilled a game-winning 3-pointer with 2.3 seconds left as Las Vegas stole one at home and handed Washington its second-consecutive loss.