Washington spoiled the party last night, as Kiki Iriafen’s 23 points and 12 rebounds powered the No. 8 Mystics’ 90-82 comeback win over No. 3 Golden State — snapping the Valkyries’ franchise-record nine-game winning streak.
Center Shakira Austin added a 15-point, 15-rebound double-double, while Sonia Citron chipped in 17 points and six assists, propelling the young Mystics above the playoff line on a 13-12 record.
“You don’t win that many games without handling adversity well,” Golden State guard Kaitlyn Chen said postgame. “Today was just sort of a tough one… But I think we’re gonna bounce back.”
Chen served as the home side’s lone bright spot, dropping a career-high 20 points and six assists off the bench to become the first reserve player leaguewide to post at least 20 points and five assists this season.
“She doesn’t have to start — that’s not important to her,” coach Natalie Nakase said of Chen. “The minutes that she’s on the floor, she’s impacting her teammates.”
Before tipoff, Golden State congratulated Gabby Williams on becoming the 2025 expansion team’s first-ever All-Star starter with a tribute video and framed jersey.
“V [Veronica Burton], she’s just so mindful and said, ‘Hey, let’s make sure we watch Gabby for the All-Star Game and cheer her on and support her,’” Nakase added. “We’re definitely going to do that. I told them I’m going to miss them over the next six days.”
