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.
Sonia Citron called for flagrant
Mystics rookie Sonia Citron was assessed a flagrant foul on the Dream’s Allisha Gray, making contact with Gray’s right arm as she attempted a 3-pointer. The shot went in and Gray made the free throw for a 30-22 lead. The Mystics kept it close with 3-pointers by Jade Melbourne and Emily Engstler.
End of Q1: Atlanta Dream 24, Washington Mystics 20
Washington’s rookies didn’t waste any time making a mark on their home court as Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron made the starting five. Iriafen had back-to-back layups in the opening minutes. Rookie Te-Hina PaoPao started for the Dream, draining a 3-pointer to give Atlanta a 17-14 lead.
How to watch Dream vs. Mystics: TV, stream
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: CareFirst Arena in Washington D.C.
TV: ION
Stream: Fubo, WNBA League Pass (free league pass preview)
Watch the Dream vs. Mystics live with Fubo
Georgia Amoore has surgery
Rookie guard Georgia Amoore underwent successful surgery to repair a right ACL injury, the Mystics announced. She is out for the season.
Forward Aaliyah Edwards (lower back contusion) has been cleared to resume on-court activities and will be re-evaluated in approximately two weeks. Shakira Austin is also out for the Atlanta game with a leg injury.
Starting lineups
Washington Mystics
F Sonia Citron
F Kiki Iriafen
C Stefanie Dolson
G Brittney Sykes
G Seg Sutton
Atlanta Dream
F Rhyne Howard
F Brionna Jones
C Brittney Griner
G Allisha Gray
G Te-Hina PaoPao
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