Sonia Citron leads Mystics to 94-84 win over Mercury
The Washington Mystics beat the Phoenix Mercury 94-84 on Tuesday night in Phoenix behind Sonia Citron's 19 points and nine assists. Washington built a 51-33 halftime lead, shot 59% in the first half, and held a double-digit advantage for the entire second half. The win moved the Mystics to 23-15.
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Key Takeaways
- Sonia Citron posted 19 points and nine assists to pace Washington's road win.
- Kiki Iriafen added 18 points and 10 rebounds for her 17th double-double of the season.
- The Mystics shot 59% in the first half and led by as many as 20 points in the second half.
- Phoenix's bench did not make a field goal until Kelsey Plum scored with 4:42 left in the third quarter.
- With six games left, Washington has the second-most regular-season wins in franchise history.
How did Sonia Citron lead the Mystics past the Mercury?
Citron controlled the game from the perimeter and as a facilitator. Her 19-point, nine-assist line anchored a balanced attack that saw four Mystics reach double figures.
Shakira Austin scored 16 points, while Michaela Onyenwere and Lauren Betts each added 10. Kiki Iriafen was equally vital, finishing with 18 points and 10 rebounds for her 17th double-double of the 2026 season.
According to ESPN's game recap, Citron went 3-for-6 from three-point range against a Mercury defense that ranks among the league's weakest against outside shooting. That efficiency helped Washington pull away early and never look back.
Why was Phoenix's bench so quiet for most of the game?
The Mercury's reserves simply could not find the basket. Phoenix's bench did not convert a single field goal until Kelsey Plum — playing her first game since Aug. 9 — scored with 4:42 remaining in the third quarter.
Plum finished with 10 points in 17 minutes off the bench, but the late contribution could not spark a comeback. Phoenix shot just 3-for-17 from beyond the arc for the full game.
Natasha Mack and Kahleah Copper led the Mercury with 19 points apiece. Alyssa Thomas added 16 points and 10 assists, but Phoenix still trailed 51-33 at the break and never got within single digits after halftime. Their largest deficit stretched to 64-44.
What does this win mean for Washington's playoff push?
The Mystics improved to 23-15 with six regular-season games remaining. That total is now the second-most wins in franchise history, trailing only the 2019 WNBA championship team's 26 victories.
Washington entered the night riding a strong stretch, going 7-3 over its previous 10 games according to Sports Illustrated. The Mystics also improved to 2-0 against Phoenix this season after beating the Mercury by 20 in an earlier meeting.
Phoenix, meanwhile, fell to 13-25 and has already been eliminated from playoff contention. The Mercury are 5-13 at home this season and dropped their third straight game.
When do the Mystics and Mercury play again?
The two teams meet again Thursday at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix. Kelsey Plum's minutes and role remain uncertain as she works back into the lineup as a free agent this offseason.
For Washington, the immediate priority is sustaining the momentum Citron and Iriafen built on Tuesday night. With franchise history within reach, every remaining game carries weight in the crowded playoff picture.