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Mystics Rookies Outplay No. 1 WNBA Pick in Scoring Feat originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
On Sunday, the Washington Mystics had a 104-67 victory over the Connecticut Sun, snapping their three-game losing streak. It was their first win of the Commissioner’s Cup, led by Brittney Sykes. The veteran guard had 28 points and six assists on 14-for-15 shooting from the free throw line.
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Before their regular-season contest, the New York Liberty handed the Mystics their sixth loss of the 2025 WNBA campaign. The rookies, Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen, did their best to try and beat the defending champions. Citron had 13 points and Iriafen added 17.
Against the Sun, they continued to score like veteran players. The former Notre Dame player had 11 points in 27 minutes of action. The rookie forward, meanwhile, finished with 12 points and five rebounds.
Atlanta Dream forward Nia Coffey dribbles the ball as Washington Mystics forward Kiki Iriafen and Mystics guard Sonia Citron.Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Following the contest, the rookie duo logged their 10th game of double-digit scoring, according to StatMuse. They each have more games where they had at least 10 or more points. Paige Bueckers, the No. 1 pick of this year’s draft, had six games of double-digit scoring.
Citron is averaging 14 points and 4.4 rebounds on 40.5% shooting from beyond the arc. Her teammate, Iriafen, is averaging 14.9 points and 9.9 rebounds. The Dallas Wings’ rookie has appeared in six games, averaging 14.7 points, 4.5 rebounds and 6.7 assists.
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The Mystics’ rookies have caught the attention of the masses with their strong start. According to Candace Pedraza, the team’s success has a lot to do with the youngsters.
“The duo has been tearing teams apart in transition, with Citron an ever-looming scoring threat from three point range and with Iriafen consistently giving opposing teams’ bigs their “welcome to the 2025 rookie class” moments,” Pedraza wrote.
They’re among the favorites to win the 2025 Rookie of the Year award. As long as they remain consistent, Citron and Iriafen have shown that they belong in the league.
Related: WNBA Gives Shoutout to Mystics Star Following 1st Commissioner’s Cup Victory
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
