The Washington Mystics might have been a disappointment this season. Beginning the season with high hopes, the Mystics failed to capitalize on the crucial moments on stage. As a result, the team is looking down the barrel at the moment and is out of playoff contention. However, one name that has shone bright amidst all the darkness is that of Kiki Iriafen.
The 22-year-old has been phenomenal with her aggressive playing style this season. Only recently, Iriafen surpassed Mystics’ legend to set franchise rookie record. And now, despite their recent loss against the Phoenix Mercury, the star rookie once again set a double-double record.
Kiki Iriafen Shines Despite The Washington Mystics Losing To Mercury
For the Mystics, it was a do-or-die game. Unfortunately, with the Mercury dominating proceedings, Washington fell with a scoreline of 75-69. Thankfully, when their season entered a seemingly dark tunnel, Iriafen emerged as the light at the end of it. Displaying some impeccable hooping skills, the rookie had 29 minutes of gametime in total. And she dropped 18 points, 13 rebounds, and a steal.
Surely, this was already an impressive stat line. And to further make it special, this was also the 22-year-old’s 16th double-double of the season. This made her surpass Crystal Langhorne’s record of 15, which she accomplished back in 2010. Iriafen is now the all-time season record holder in the category.
🚨Kiki records her 16th double-double of the season, to set single season record for Mystics, passing Crystal Langhorne (15 in 2010) 🚨
— WNBA (@WNBA) September 5, 2025
She has 14 PTS, 10 REB & counting!#WelcometotheW
Postseason Push | @DraftKings pic.twitter.com/ZVf8XTbWgS
Apart from her double-double effort, Iriafen also boasted of an impressive shooting stat. She converted 8 out of her attempted 19 from the field. The Mystics’ rookie also shot 2-of-2 from the free-throw line. And this was not the first time the 22-year-old has broken records this season. Iriafen recently broke Chamique Holdsclaw’s rookie record from 1999. And as a result, she got a WNBA All-Star selection.
Scroll to continue reading
Trending WNBA News
Kiki Iriafen Gets Emotional After WNBA All-Star Selection
The 2025 All-Star game was surely a happy hunting ground for the rookies. Alongside the likes of Paige Bueckers and Sonia Citron, Mystics’ Iriafen also got the All-Star nod. And since 2000, this year was the first time when more than three rookies were called up to the All-Star game. Iriafen, along with Citron, got drafted to Team Clark. On the other hand, Bueckers donned the jersey of Team Collier. Meanwhile, having gotten such a big opportunity, the 22-year-old got emotional while speaking to Sportskeeda’s Mark Medina.
“I was like, ‘No way.’ I was in kind of in shock… didn’t expect to be named an All-Star my rookie season. Then, when I found out that Sonia was an All-Star as well, that made it even more exciting. You don’t really see a lot of rookies make the All-Star. I know that we have a lot this season. But you don’t usually see that happening. So I didn’t really expect that for myself coming in,” Iriafen said.
Well, there are enough reasons to be excited about the 22-year-old. Standing at 6-foot-3, the rookie star has been averaging 13.1 points and 8.6 rebounds in 41 games at the moment. Surely, with things looking rosy, fans are now eager to see how things pan out.