The Washington Mystics surrendered an eight-point fourth-quarter lead as the Minnesota Lynx completed a 78-76 comeback victory on Wednesday night in Washington, D.C. The loss dropped the Mystics to an 8-8 record, halting their best run in two years, while the Lynx improved to 14-4 atop the WNBA standings.
After winning four of their previous five games, including a road victory over the Lynx just three days earlier, the Mystics appeared poised to secure back-to-back wins against the league’s top team. However, Minnesota’s resilience prevailed in a closely contested matchup at the Entertainment and Sports Arena.
The first half featured a tightly matched battle, with neither team leading by more than eight points. Washington guard Sonia Citron drove much of the Mystics’ offense, pouring in 28 points—17 of them in the opening half. For Minnesota, Natasha Howard and rookie guard Olivia Miles combined for 21 points apiece to keep the Lynx level. The teams entered halftime tied at 40, a reflection of rigorous defense and hard-fought play rather than offensive dominance.
In the third quarter, the Mystics found momentum. Washington’s offense clicked, and their defense effectively contained the Lynx without injured star Napheesa Collier, extending their advantage to eight points going into the final period. Forward Shakira Austin, who finished with 11 points, credited the team’s improved ball protection for the surge.
Despite this, Minnesota rallied late. Rookie Olivia Miles delivered the decisive blow with a step-back three-pointer early in the fourth quarter, giving the Lynx the lead for good. Her ability to penetrate Washington’s defense in the final minutes underscored her burgeoning impact this season.
Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve acknowledged the narrow margin leading up to the game, noting the pressure of protecting her team’s standing after Sunday’s loss to the Mystics. “I didn’t sleep,” she said, emphasizing the stakes involved in the rematch.
Washington’s head coach Sydney Johnson expressed disappointment but also recognized the growing expectations within the team. “This is a game that our team expected to win,” he stated. “The expectation to win games is starting to emerge. We’re just not there yet. We’re really disappointed.”
Forward Kiki Iriafen noted the team’s struggle to maintain focus down the stretch against a disciplined Lynx squad. “They beat us the same way we had beaten them,” she said. “They’re a great team. We know that. But I don’t think we were super locked-in on that in the fourth quarter.”
With the victory, Minnesota maintained its position atop the WNBA standings, while Washington faces the challenge of building consistency to contend with the league’s elite as the season progresses.