The Washington Mystics have their first ‘W’ in the win column.
The Mystics defeated the Atlanta Dream 94-90 Friday on opening night at CareFirst Arena in Washington, DC. The Mystics were led by Brittney Skyes, who recorded 22 points while shooting 6 of 20 from the field and 1 of 6 on 3-pointers. Rookies Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen added 19 points and 14 points, respectively, in their WNBA regular-season debuts.
The Mystics held a narrow 88-86 lead over the Dream with 1:20 remaining in the game after Atlanta’s Allisha Gray made a driving layup. Gray was fouled on the play by Iriafen and knocked down the and-one free throw to cut the Dream’s deficit to one point. Washington’s Sykes knocked down two free throws to extend Washington’s lead to 90-87, but a free throw from Atlanta’s Brionna Jones and a 13-foot pull-up jumper from Brittney Griner tied to game at 90-90 with 34 seconds remaining. The Mystics responded by going on 4-0 run to close the game.
The Mystics were without Shakira Austin (leg), Georgia Amoore (ACL) and Aaliyah Edwards (lower back contusion). The Dream was short Jordin Canada, who sat out Friday with a right knee injury.
Here’s a recap of Washington’s opening night victory over Atlanta:
End of 3Q: Mystics 71, Dream 70
The Mystics have a one-point advantage over the Dream heading into the fourth quarter. Washington has been pretty efficient from the field, shooting 52.2% from the field and 42.9% from three, compared to the Dream’s 43.1% from the field and 41.1% from three.
Allisha Gray is up to 22 points for the Dream, shooting 6-of-10 from the field and 6-of-8 from the three.
Kiki Irafen has a team-high 14 points for Washington. Sonia Citron added 12 points.
Mystics’ Georgia Amoore out for season
Amoore, who was drafted out of Kentucky by the Mystics with the sixth overall pick of the 2025 WNBA Draft, will not hit the court the season after suffering a season-ending knee injury. “Washington Mystics guard Georgia Amoore underwent successful surgery to repair a right ACL injury. She will miss the 2025 WNBA season,” the team announced on Friday ahead of the Mystics’ opening night matchup against the Dream.
Commanders’ Jayden Daniels sits courtside
Everyone watches women’s sports, including a pair of Washington Commanders superstars. Quarterback Jayden Daniels and his newest receiver Deebo Samuel were seated courtside at CareFirst Arena on Friday.
Halftime: Dream 45, Mystics 41
The Dream led by as many as 12 points in the first half, but the Mystics responded and came within four points of Atlanta heading into halftime. Allisha Gray of the Dream has a game-high 19 points, shooting 5-of-8 from the field and 5-of-7 from three. Te-Hina Paopao added seven points in her WNBA regular season debut. Washington’s Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron are also making their regular season debuts and have seven and four points, respectively. The Mystics have outscored the Dream in the paint, 22-10.