Shakira Austin scores 27 as Mystics edge Storm 84-79
Shakira Austin poured in 10 of her 27 points in the fourth quarter as the Washington Mystics defeated the Seattle Storm 84-79 on Sunday. Austin's late scoring, backed by Sonia Citron's 19 points, lifted Washington to 11-10 while Seattle dropped to 6-19 after a cold closing stretch. The home win capped a fourth-quarter surge that sealed the result for Washington.
Key Takeaways
- Shakira Austin finished with 27 points, including 10 in the fourth quarter, in Washington's 84-79 win.
- Kiki Iriafen posted 12 points and 13 rebounds for her ninth double-double of the season.
- Natisha Hiedeman scored a career-high 31 points for Seattle, but the Storm managed only 11 points in the fourth.
- Seattle forward Ezi Magbegor is out again after suffering a facial fracture, per USA Today.
- The Mystics visit Toronto next; the Storm head to Chicago.
How did Shakira Austin close out the Mystics' win?
In Washington on Sunday, Shakira Austin scored 10 of her 27 points in the fourth quarter as the Mystics outscored the Storm 20-11 in the final period. That closing burst was the difference in an 84-79 result that moved Washington to 11-10.
Sonia Citron added 19 points, and rookie Lauren Betts scored 11. Kiki Iriafen contributed 12 points and 13 rebounds for her ninth double-double this season, giving the Mystics a second interior option alongside Austin.
According to the Associated Press game report, Seattle shot just 4 of 14 (29%) from the field in the fourth and committed eight of its 19 turnovers in that span.
What went wrong for the Seattle Storm down the stretch?
Natisha Hiedeman carried Seattle with a career-high 31 points on 14-of-24 shooting. The rest of the Storm combined to make only 16 of 46 shots (35%) from the field, leaving Hiedeman without enough complementary scoring.
Dominique Malonga added 10 points, 15 rebounds, two blocks, and two steals. Early foul trouble limited production from Malonga, a 6-foot-6, 20-year-old named to the WNBA's 2025 All-Rookie team, and 6-foot-4 rookie Awa Fam, who combined for more personal fouls (five) than points (four) in the first half.
Context around the matchup also includes injury news: Storm forward Ezi Magbegor is out again after suffering a facial fracture, USA Today reported. Seattle fell to 6-19 after the loss.
What is next for both teams after Sunday's result?
The Mystics play Tuesday at Toronto. The Storm visit Chicago on Wednesday. Washington will look to build on a balanced supporting cast behind Austin, while Seattle must generate more efficient team shooting than the 35% the non-Hiedeman lineup posted Sunday.
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Licensable game imagery from the Seattle Storm at Washington Mystics matchup is also circulating via Reuters Connect, underscoring how quickly Sunday's box-score narrative traveled beyond the arena.