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The Washington Mystics ended the Golden State Valkyries' nine-game winning streak on Monday night, as their frontcourt outmuscled the Valkyries in an impressive 90-82 win.
For one of the WNBA's best young cores, it was a statement win. But the news gets even better for Washington as the Mystics chase a playoff spot.
MORE: How the Chicago Sky gifted Olivia Miles to the Lynx and changed an era of WNBA basketball
The Mystics bullied the Valkyries in their own building, as Kiki Iriafen (23 points, 12 rebounds) and Shakira Austin (15 points, 15 rebounds) out-rebounded Golden State all by themselves.
Washington didn't even need heroics from All-Star guard Sonia Citron, though she did score 17 points to aid in the winning effort.
Kiki Iriafen and Shakira Austin tonight:
38 PTS
27 REB
14-22 FG
Out-rebounded Valkyries' entire team (23 REB).
Snapped Golden State's 9-game win streak. pic.twitter.com/av51O5KW2n
The Mystics now are 13-12 and 2.5 games clear of the Portland Fire for the eighth and final playoff spot. But thanks to a deal it made with the WNBA's most generous franchise, Washington could make the postseason and still receive the top overall pick in a loaded 2027 draft.
Last February, the Mystics made a deal with the Chicago Sky that sent All-Star Ariel Atkins to the Windy City. As part of the trade, the Mystics earned the right to swap 2027 first-round picks with the Sky -- and Chicago (9-17) will be in the lottery for next year's draft.
The Washington Mystics own the rights to swap and take the Chicago Sky’s potential lottery pick in the 2027 WNBA Draft.
The Mystics could make the playoffs and end up with Chicago’s top pick, just like the Minnesota Lynx did when the selected All-Star starter Olivia Miles.
This is the exact mechanism through which the Minnesota Lynx were able to reach the WNBA semifinals and still get to draft Olivia Miles second overall in the 2026 draft.
The Mystics, already on a promising trajectory with Citron, Iriafen and Lauren Betts on rookie contracts, could add another college star to their ranks in 2027. The good times likely are just getting started in the nation's capital.
More WNBA news:
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- Sophie Cunningham’s viral WNBA moment hits unexpected roadblock, but there’s a catc
- How the Wings can pair Paige Bueckers and Kelsey Plum to chase a WNBA championship
- Brittney Griner’s reaction to DeWanna Bonner breaking Mercury record says it all
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