The Washington Mystics have been one of the WNBA’s surprise stories in 2025. They defied low expectations with an 11-12 record and a hold on the eighth playoff spot halfway through the season. Much of the buzz around this young team centers on their young rookie duo, Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen. Even if unaddressed, they have been phenomenal in starring roles under first-year head coach Sydney Johnson.
Both have got the well-deserved All-Star nods and record-breaking performances. However, with the highs come the lows. Losses to the Sparks and Valkyries have left the fanbase with an obvious question. Are Citron and Iriafen ready for the responsibility of carrying a franchise, or is it too soon to point fingers at the rookies?
Should Sonia Citron And Kiki Iriafen Really Bear The Blame?
For the last ten games they played, the Mystics’ efforts came full circle. They lost five of those games while winning exactly five. Other than the Sparks game on 22nd July, Citron scored double-digit points in four out of the last five games.
Apart from that, Citron’s 47.6 percent three-point shooting and Iriafen’s 8.3 rebounds per game lead all rookies. However, with all the hype and happiness, their inexperience shows in crunch time. Against the Sparks, a 99-80 blowout marked the team’s third-worst loss, with both of them combining for just 15 points on poor shooting.
It was all about the rookies in DC 💥
— WNBA (@WNBA) July 30, 2025
Sonia Citron: 28 PTS | 5 3PM | 10-15 FG
Kiki Iriafen: 22 PTS | 10 REB | 4 AST | 2 STL
Career highs across the board in the win over Chicago!#WelcometotheW pic.twitter.com/BvvRNxosx5
Their youth, which is an asset, can lead to costly mistakes, like Citron’s foul trouble or Iriafen’s occasional struggles in the post, which opponents exploit.
Holding rookies accountable for losses might seem harsh, but it could push them for one dime of extra growth. Both have proven they can handle big moments, like their 50-point combined outburst against the Chicago Sky, where Citron dropped 28 and Iriafen added 22. Yet, the Mystics’ 15.7 turnovers per game, ranking 11th in the league, often look ugly from rookie errors under pressure.
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But there are a couple of other factors contributing, other than just two young hoopers, to the lackluster show-ups.
Mystics Have More Than Just Sonia Citron-Kiki Iriafen Issue
While it’s easier to question the newcomers, the Mystics’ inconsistency isn’t just on the rookies’ shoulders. Veteran Brittney Sykes, averaging 18.6 points per game, has been a scoring machine but shoots a career-worst 40 percent from the field, impacting efficiency. Losses like the 22-point drubbing by the New York Liberty exposed team-wide defensive lapses, not just rookie miscues.
DES POTD 🔥
— Daily Edge Sports (@DailyEdgeSports) July 31, 2025
Brittney Sykes OVER 3.5 FTM
Sykes has not been stellar from the line this year, but she remains somewhat aggressive getting to the line 5 times in her last game. Additionally, in the one matchup this year vs the Valks this year she terrorized them with 30 points.… pic.twitter.com/39HGyRUxHx
With a 97.6 offensive rating (11th in the WNBA), Washington’s struggles often come from unforced errors and poor free-throw shooting, which is 74.1%, a league-worst. The issues that veterans like Stefanie Dolson, now averaging just 2.8 points, haven’t been fully addressed.
Injuries have also hurt. Shakira Austin’s return has boosted the team, averaging 19.8 points over her last five games. But Aaliyah Edwards’ early absence and limited minutes have strained the frontcourt.
Citron and Iriafen have had to fill bigger roles than most rookies, starting every game and facing top competition.
Also Read: Washington Mystics 2024 Draft Pick Nastja Claessens Chooses College Over WNBA