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Mystics forward Kiki Iriafen sat at the postgame table in a state of derealization.
In her mind, the Mystics should be going to practice tomorrow. Should be preparing for Friday’s winner-takes-all Game 3 in Atlanta. But the key word is should. In reality, the Mystics’ dreamlike season is over after Wednesday’s 93-75 loss to Atlanta in Game 2 of the first round of the WNBA playoffs.
It was a season of growth for Iriafen, who saw her game elevate as she made her second All-Star team in as many seasons.
“I think, from the start [of the season] to now, like as a team, we’ve grown so much in our grit,” Iriafen said. “I think, from the first game, you could tell like we were relentless, but truly, like we are fearless every time we’re on the court. We think we can beat anyone, regardless of what stats say, regardless what media says.
“The biggest thing that I’m super proud of my teammates and I for is that we just kept everything internal. Like we did not listen to any outside noise. We truly just banded together and found a way to win games.”
With 1:04 left in the fourth quarter and the game’s outcome decided, Mystics coach Sydney Johnson emptied his bench as fans serenaded their young team with praise for a successful season. Even as the seconds dwindled off the clock, Mystics fans rose to support their team one last time.
Youthful exuberance powered the Mystics as they blew past expectations for them entering this season. But in the playoffs experience is key. The Mystics’ lack of it showed in the turnovers they will likely lament after the season.
“Just disappointment, frustration,” said two-time All-Star Sonia Citron, who scored a game-high 25 points. “It’s not how we want our season to end.”
Every loose ball they were unable to corral seemingly led to a Dream jumper. That reared its head in the fourth quarter. After cutting Atlanta’s lead to three on a Cassandre Prosper layup, the Mystics allowed wide-open layups by All-Star forward Angel Reese and Naz Hillmon because of miscommunication. A turnover led to another Hillmon layup.
After the Dream seized the momentum, Johnson called timeout with 8:10 left in the fourth quarter to calm his team. But that brief flash showed the difference between a veteran Dream team and a talented but inexperienced Mystics squad.
Atlanta pressed up against the Mystics, forcing 19 turnovers that led to 23 points. Atlanta’s relentless ball pressure made even rudimentary passes into the post a struggle. But, until the Dream pulled away in the fourth, the Mystics answered every run.
“This is one of the mentally toughest teams I’ve ever coached in my life,” Johnson said.
The Mystics are just beginning what they hope is a prosperous era. They should take solace in their progress this season and the resilience they displayed in many of their players’ first time in the playoffs.
“The youth of this team, to understand how we’re trying to win, it came so quickly,” Johnson said. “I don’t even recognize this team. It’s it’s been a magical ride.”
These two postseason games will be instrumental for the group. Sonia Citron (19 points) is a two-time All-Star and one of the WNBA’s best scorers. Iriafen is a tenacious rebounder and a franchise pillar, and Shakira Austin is locked in on a three-year deal and is coming off the best season of her career (17.0 points, 9.5 rebounds per game).
The Mystics play with a joy and a freedom that led them to their charmed season that finished with a franchise-record 28 wins. The Mystics can learn from their opponents. The Dream entered this postseason having lost in the first round in three consecutive seasons.
But the core group learned through those defeats. Four-time All-Star guard Rhyne Howard (five seasons with the Dream), four-time All-Star Aliisha Gray (four seasons) and guard Jordin Canada (three seasons) experienced those setbacks together. Add in six-time All-Star DeWanna Bonner and Angel Reese to the core group, and the Dream have their eyes set on a championship.
“I think just adding those two key pieces to our team, along with the core group, I think we just all have that cohesiveness,” Canada said.
A talent infusion is on the way to Washington, as well. Because of a well-executed trade, the Mystics are set to receive the Chicago Sky’s 2027 lottery pick in exchange for their own and also own Chicago’s 2028 first-rounder.
The Mystics need to add shooting (31.8% from 3-point range Wednesday night) to supplement their core. The front office also has to determine if the core is ready for a veteran addition to take the team over the top. Going from good to great is one of the toughest jumps a team can make.
This unexpected season was the result of the Mystics taking the long view. They endured losing seasons. Though the sting of the playoff loss will hurt, the Mystics have a bright future.
“As disappointing as it as it is that we lost tonight, I think, when you look at the season as a whole, I get emotional,” Citron said. “We have such an incredible group of girls, and Coach was talking about it in the locker room, but we have something special here. Every day we just we come in, we love each other, we have fun, we never lose our joy, and I think that’s just super special.”
This article has been updated.
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