Mystics Hold Off Sky 101-93 Behind Sonia Citron

The Washington Mystics defeated the Chicago Sky 101-93 on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at Capital One Arena, with Sonia Citron leading Washington with 21 points and five assists. Washington built a 15-point first-quarter edge, withstood Chicago’s 33-point fourth quarter, and improved to 28-16.

Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown

First Quarter: Mystics 31, Sky 16

Washington took control early, outscoring Chicago 31-16 in the opening period. The 15-point advantage established the margin the Mystics would lean on through a competitive final three quarters.

Second Quarter: Mystics 21, Sky 18

The Sky trimmed three points from the deficit in the second, but the Mystics remained efficient enough to take a 52-34 lead into halftime. Washington’s early execution gave it room to manage Chicago’s later push.

Third Quarter: Mystics 27, Sky 26

Both offenses found a rhythm after halftime. Washington narrowly won the third 27-26, keeping its lead intact while Citron continued to direct the Mystics’ attack and Kiki Iriafen controlled the glass.

Fourth Quarter: Sky 33, Mystics 22

Chicago delivered its strongest offensive quarter in the fourth, outscoring Washington 33-22. The Sky reduced the final margin, but the Mystics’ work over the first three periods was enough to secure the eight-point result without overtime.

Key Performers

• Sonia Citron, Mystics: 21 points and five assists to lead Washington in scoring and playmaking.
• Kiki Iriafen, Mystics: 15 rebounds, helping Washington finish with a 44-27 advantage on the boards.
• Kamilla Cardoso, Sky: 16 points and nine rebounds to lead Chicago in both categories.
• Courtney Vandersloot, Sky: 16 points and seven assists, producing Chicago’s top assist total.

NerdSports Stat: Washington’s 17-rebound advantage was larger than its eight-point final margin, while the Mystics also made 10 three-pointers and 23 free throws compared with Chicago’s eight threes and 13 free throws.

Game Analysis

The Mystics’ first-quarter separation was the deciding element. Washington shot 50.0% from the field and 45.5% from three-point range, making 10 of 22 attempts from beyond the arc. The Mystics also earned 32 free-throw attempts and converted 23, creating a meaningful edge over Chicago’s 13 made free throws.

Chicago was efficient in its own right, shooting 48.6% overall and recording 25 assists. The Sky’s ball movement helped produce a 33-point fourth quarter, but the team could not fully recover from its 16-point opening period. Washington’s rebounding advantage limited Chicago’s opportunities to extend its late momentum.

For Washington, the balance between Citron’s scoring and passing, Iriafen’s work on the boards, and strong team shooting delivered a complete home performance. The Mystics finished with 19 assists and consistently found productive possessions before Chicago’s late rally narrowed the final score.

Closing Context

The win moved Washington to 28-16 overall and 15-7 at home, while Chicago fell to 16-28 and 5-17 on the road. The supplied game information did not list a season-series implication, but the result strengthened the Mystics’ position in the league standings while the Sky’s late fourth-quarter push offered a positive takeaway despite the loss.

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