Mystics rookies leading unexpected playoff push

Iriafen, selected No. 4 overall, chipped in with 22 points (also a career-high) while shooting 8-of-14. She added 10 rebounds for her eighth double-double, four assists and two steals.

The Mystics (13-13) moved a win shy of their 2024 total, when they went 14-26 and missed the postseason for just the third time in the past 12 seasons. 

Washington is tied with the Las Vegas Aces (13-13) for seventh in the WNBA standings and is a game ahead of the Golden State Valkyries (11-13) for the last spot in the playoff picture. On Thursday, the Mystics host the Valkyries, who lost their best player, Kayla Thornton, earlier this month after undergoing season-ending knee surgery.

The Mystics' 103 points were their second-most this season, and while some of their offensive success could be attributed to facing the horrid Sky defense, it wasn't solely a product of their competition.

As they have all season, the Mystics routinely got to the foul line on Tuesday, ending 21-of-27 from the stripe. This season, Washington ranks first in free throws and free-throw attempts.

The Mystics rarely take threes, entering Tuesday averaging 16.2 per game, but Citron's performance against the Sky shows they aren't without viable long-range shooters.

Washington wasn't expected to contend for a playoff spot this season, but its rookies' incredible starts have recalibrated expectations. Per BetMGM, the Mystics entered the season with the third-lowest over-under win total (15.5), ahead of only the expansion Valkyries and rebuilding Connecticut Sun.

Citron and Iriafen have been instrumental to the team entering the playoff conversation, and if the duo keeps up the pace, the Mystics might be back in the postseason quicker than most thought possible.