Also, Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen are the WNBA’s TOP ROOKIES RIGHT NOW. Not Paige Bueckers.
The Washington Mystics’ current three-game losing streak hasn’t been easy to watch, but it’s not without nuance. With a 2–3 record and several close calls, here’s a breakdown of three positives and three negatives that stand out from this recent stretch.
Three Good Things
- The rookies are the real deal — Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron are already making a case for extended minutes—and maybe even starting roles. Iriafen posted her fourth straight double-double in Phoenix, showing the physicality and rebounding presence the Mystics have lacked last season. If Iriafen keeps this up, Washington fans won’t be complaining about not having Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese last season. Meanwhile, Citron leads all WNBA rookies in scoring and has been a steady offensive option when others have faltered. For a franchise that needed a youth infusion, this is exactly the kind of early return you want to see. It’s early, but Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers may have the bigger name, but her shooting stats are nowhere close — and Dallas is 0-4. Anyway, Iriafen and Citron have passed the eye test just as well. I think their efficiency will go down as the season goes on and as defenses begin to focus on them more. But again, they are producing.
- Competing with other teams perceived to be “better” — Despite the losses, the Mystics have played tight games against some of the league’s toughest teams. They had the Aces on the ropes until a final-minute collapse, and they matched the Valkyries nearly bucket for bucket. The takeaway? This team isn’t far off. Even without clean performances, they’re in games down the stretch. I’d say the only loss they really shouldn’t have given up was the game against Golden State. Not because that was the Valkyries’ first win in franchise history. But rather, because the Mystics are better on paper than they are.
- Aaliyah Edwards returns — After missing the first few games, Edwards made her 2025 debut in Phoenix. While the numbers weren’t eye-popping with 6 points and 7 rebounds, her presence alone adds depth and defensive versatility. As she ramps up, the Mystics should get stronger in the paint. And it could mean a diminished role for a veteran player.
Three Bad Things
- Turnovers kill momentum — A whopping 27 turnovers in the Phoenix game last night? That’s not a typo. The Mystics are hemorrhaging possessions, and it’s making it nearly impossible to build or protect leads. Even in close games, those mistakes are the difference between a win and a loss. Because Washington has a young roster and is
- Late game meltdowns — Across all three losses, Washington has failed to execute in the final minutes even though they were leading in them all. Whether it was allowing a 9–0 run against the Aces or surrendering clutch threes to Golden State, the Mystics simply aren’t closing. That’s a discipline and focus issue, and it needs to change quickly.
- Veteran inconsistency, especia — Sykes shot 1-for-13 against the Mercury is a glaring problem. Sure, she is the Mystics’ primary offensive option, but this is when other players — not just Citron and Iriafen and Jade Melbourne — need to step up. Veteran center Stefanie Dolson has started all five games and has shot below 40 percent all season. Shakira Austin has finally returned this season but hasn’t played many minutes to this point.
The Mystics aren’t a lost cause. I’ll admit that before this season I didn’t expect to see them make the playoffs, but I also didn’t expect them to start 0-12 like the 2024 Mystics team either. This team gives themselves a chance to win every game but they haven’t closed out those games in each of their last three contests. If Washington wants to stop the bleeding, they need the vets to stabilize, the turnovers to drop, and the clutch performances to return.
And of course, we need to keep seeing the Iriafen and Citron show. That could pay DIVIDENDS for 2026. I’ll write more about that this week.