Mystics Storm Back With 40-Point Fourth to Clinch Playoff Berth

PORTLAND — The Washington Mystics overcame a 14-point deficit Sunday to defeat the Portland Fire 105-100 at Moda Center, clinching their first playoff berth since 2023. Washington trailed 70-65 entering the fourth quarter before erupting for 40 points on 13-of-15 shooting in the final period. The 40-point fourth quarter was the first in franchise history and the 14th all-time qualifying 40-point quarter in the WNBA. The Mystics’ comeback was their sixth double-digit comeback of the season, tying them with the New York Liberty and Dallas Wings for the most 10-plus-point comeback wins this season.

Shakira Austin led Washington with a career-high 31 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks on 11-of-18 shooting. It was the first 30-point, 10-rebound game of Austin’s career, and she became the fifth player league-wide this season to record 30 points, 10 rebounds and multiple blocks. Kiki Iriafen added 18 points and 10 rebounds, Sonia Citron had 14 points and six assists, while Georgia Amoore and Cotie McMahon each scored 13 points.

Austin’s performance came after what she described as a difficult start personally. She said she was disappointed with her first quarter and felt she was a major reason Portland was able to build its early lead. Austin said she then focused on playing “at my speed, at my pace” and getting out of her head, while trusting the preparation the Mystics had received from their coaching staff. “There was no surprises,” Austin said, adding that the team needed to continue making the right reads each possession.

As the game progressed, Austin said the Mystics became more comfortable, with Iriafen’s work on the boards helping keep Washington in the game. By the fourth quarter, Austin felt the team had settled in, even as Portland continued to make difficult shots. Washington ultimately outscored Portland 40-30 in the final period.

Iriafen and Austin also continued a strong inside connection. The two Mystics forwards have now recorded double-doubles in the same game seven times this season, tying the highest single-season total for a pair of teammates in WNBA history. They each have 17 double-doubles this season. When asked about their success together, Iriafen said the team’s approach is to treat every possession as a battle and to be aggressive on both ends of the floor. “We know we’re gonna get the ball, the ball’s gonna flow through our post,” Iriafen said, emphasizing the importance of being efficient and aggressive whenever they step on the floor.

The Mystics also received important contributions from Citron, Amoore and McMahon. Citron shot 4-of-5 from the field and added six assists, while Amoore went 4-of-6 from the field and 3-of-4 from three-point range. McMahon led Washington’s reserves with 13 points. During the postgame presser, Austin pointed to the group’s ability to contribute in different ways, including Amoore’s clutch free throws and McMahon providing a boost whenever the team needed one. “Everybody really came up huge today,” Austin said, describing a group that is increasingly figuring out its individual roles and learning that it can lean on one another when things become difficult.

Austin also spoke about Sonia Citron’s production in clutch moments. Citron’s 14 points included the type of late-game impact the Mystics have come to expect from her, and Austin credited her ability to read the floor, remain confident and stay prepared. “She stays in the gym, she stays getting shots up, she stays watching film,” Austin said, pointing to Citron’s work and maturity in those situations.

The Mystics’ ability to stay together through difficult stretches was another theme of the postgame discussion. Iriafen said the team has won games in which it knew it had not played its best basketball, but the players have continued to support one another instead of turning on each other. “It’s been huge,” Iriafen said of the team’s togetherness and toughness, explaining that the group has been able to lean on that connection while working through defensive schemes, offensive adjustments and finding its way back to its identity.

That identity is something Austin said the Mystics now want to sharpen as they move toward the postseason. She acknowledged that Washington has lost some of its identity defensively and has had issues with togetherness on offense and protecting the ball. With the team wanting to begin peaking now, Austin said the goal is to continue applying the formula that has produced wins and establish the standard for how the Mystics want to look heading into the playoffs.

Washington’s playoff berth was particularly meaningful because of where the team was viewed entering the season. In the postgame presser, the organization described the achievement as a clear step forward, emphasizing the youth of the group and the progress made from the previous season. The organization expressed excitement about making the playoffs in year two while also stressing the need to continue getting better.

For Iriafen, the playoff berth represented progress from a season ago. She said Washington had been in position last year before losing games and dropping off, making the ability to correct that this season significant. “We’re definitely excited that we clinched the playoff spot, but we know there’s so much more work that we have to do,” Iriafen said. She added that the team wants to continue winning and finish games the way it wants to play in the postseason without losing its momentum.

Washington’s comeback also continued a season-long trend on the boards and from its reserves. The Mystics outrebounded Portland 38-25, marking the 34th time this season they have outrebounded an opponent, the highest single-season total in WNBA history. Washington’s bench outscored Portland’s 21-11, while five Mystics players finished in double figures for the ninth time this season.

The victory gave Washington a 2-1 finish in the season series against Portland and moved the Mystics to 22-15. The team now has its playoff berth secured, but the message coming out of the locker room was not one of satisfaction with simply qualifying. The focus remains on continuing to improve, maintaining the team’s identity and carrying its momentum into the postseason.