WNBA Upset
Sonia Citron Leads Washington Mystics to Upset Win Over League-Best Minnesota Lynx
The Washington Mystics pulled off a stunning road upset on Sunday, beating the league-best Minnesota Lynx 84-79 in Minneapolis. A 12-0 run in the final two minutes turned a six-point deficit into a two-point cushion, capping the Mystics' third straight win, according to AP News.
Sonia Citron led Washington with 21 points. Kiki Iriafen added 17, including a go-ahead basket for the second game in a row. The Lynx, who led 42-35 at halftime and 60-56 after three quarters, went scoreless for over two minutes during the decisive surge, according to CBS Sports.
A 12-0 Blitz Erases a Six-Point Lynx Lead
Minnesota looked in control with 2:30 left. Rookie Olivia Miles completed a three-point play to cap a 7-0 Lynx run and push the lead to 76-70, according to Yahoo Sports. Washington had not led since the first half.
Then the Mystics exploded. Cotie McMahon hit a critical 3-pointer to start the surge. Iriafen followed with two straight baskets. Citron then sank four consecutive free throws in the final six seconds to seal the win, AP News reported. Minnesota did not score during the entire 12-0 run.
Citron and Iriafen Power Washington's Young Core
Citron, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, is now the Mystics' top offensive weapon. Washington is 7-1 this season when she attempts at least 10 shots, according to NBC Sports. Sunday's 21 points was her team high.
Iriafen, the No. 4 pick in 2025, has hit the go-ahead basket in back-to-back games. She noted the team's growth after the win, saying, "This is the first time we've won back-to-back games — our youthful squad has found its rhythm." Bench contributor McMahon chipped in 15 points and five assists, per WUSA9.
Lynx Playing Without Star Napheesa Collier
Minnesota still boasts the WNBA's best record at 13-4 after the loss. But the Lynx are missing franchise cornerstone Napheesa Collier, who is recovering from left ankle surgery. Coach Cheryl Reeve has said Collier is "doing basketball things" but remains weeks away from full practice, according to The Daily Item.
Olivia Miles, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 Draft, led all scorers with 22 points and six assists. Natasha Howard added 20 points. But Minnesota's bench struggled late, and analysts noted the team was "sloppy when it mattered most" in the closing minutes, per LMT Online.
Mystics Above .500, Rematch Set for Wednesday
The win pushed Washington to 8-7, above .500 for the first time this season. The Mystics have now beaten the New York Liberty and Minnesota Lynx in back-to-back games, positioning themselves as a serious playoff threat, according to MDJ Online.
The two teams meet again Wednesday, June 24, in Washington, D.C. — a rare back-to-back scheduling quirk that gives Minnesota a quick shot at revenge. The broader WNBA season is also drawing record interest. Cable viewership in 2026 is up 134% over 2025 averages, per WWLTV.
Sentiment
NeutralPublishers
10
Articles
9
Reach
10
