Iriafen, Austin power Mystics past Fever, 93-77

NSMT NewsroomSource date · 2026-09-20

Washington's fast start produced a road win that tightened the race for playoff positioning.

Cover: Washington’s Sonia Citron (22) drives against Indiana’s Kelsey Mitchell (0) at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on September 20, 2026. Photo: Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire.

INDIANAPOLIS | September 20, 2026

The Mystics put Indiana in a hole before the Fever could settle in. Washington made its first four 3-point attempts, built a 15-point first-quarter lead and kept control of a 93-77 win Sunday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Kiki Iriafen finished with 21 points and 14 rebounds. Shakira Austin added 20 points and 10 rebounds, giving Washington two double-doubles on a day when its interior players supplied both scoring and second efforts. Sonia Citron scored 16 points and added nine assists as the Mystics improved to 26-16, one game behind Indiana at 27-15.

Washington led 34-19 after one quarter and 51-30 at halftime. Indiana managed only 11 second-quarter points, leaving itself little room for another cold stretch. The Fever scored 31 in the third, but Washington answered with 26 of its own and took a 77-61 lead into the fourth. The visitors didn't need a late escape. They'd already built the cushion.

"I thought we were just sloppy," Caitlin Clark said afterward, according to the Fever's team report. Indiana coach Stephanie White pointed to missed opportunities: "We missed a lot of shots we usually make."

The Fever's difficulty went beyond one missed jumper. Clark and Kelsey Mitchell combined to go 7-for-23 in the first half while supplying 24 of Indiana's 30 points. Washington's early shooting had forced Indiana to chase the game.

Clark finished with 25 points but shot 6-for-20. The Mystics' win also gave them the head-to-head tiebreaker over Indiana, according to Bullets Forever's game report, adding weight to the result with the standings so close.

The road portion of Washington's regular season is over. Its final two games are at home, beginning with Connecticut on Tuesday, Sept. 22, at 7:30 p.m. ET. Sunday's win sent the Mystics home with a chance to keep climbing.