On July 10, 2025, the Washington Mystics staged a late comeback to edge the Las Vegas Aces 70-68 at EagleBank Arena in Fairfax, Virginia, improving their record to 10-10 and securing their fourth straight home win. The Mystics, led by Brittney Sykes’ 18 points and Shakira Austin’s 16 points and eight rebounds, overcame a 15-point deficit with a 12-2 run in the final minutes. The Aces, missing reigning WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson due to a wrist injury, were paced by Jewell Loyd’s 20 points but faltered late despite a strong first half. Below is a detailed breakdown of player stats and key moments, sourced from ESPN and CBS Sports.
Game Overview
- Sport: Basketball
- Date: July 10, 2025
- Location: EagleBank Arena, Fairfax, Virginia
- League: WNBA (Women’s National Basketball Association) 2025 Regular Season
- Matchup: Las Vegas Aces vs Washington Mystics Match Player Stats
- Final Score: Washington Mystics 70, Las Vegas Aces 68
- Winning Team: Washington Mystics
- Referees: Blanca Burns, Michael Price
- Attendance: 9,350
- Time of Game: 2 hours, 22 minutes
- Weather: Indoors
- Key Moment: Shakira Austin’s offensive rebound and putback with 39.8 seconds left gave the Mystics their first lead since the first quarter (69-68), and Brittney Sykes’ free throw sealed the victory.
Washington Mystics: Offensive Highlights
The Mystics shot 40.0% from the field (24/60) and 50.0% from three (10/20), with 15 assists on 24 made field goals. Their late-game execution, particularly in the fourth quarter, overcame a sluggish start.
- Brittney Sykes (SG): 18 points, 7/15 FG, 1/3 3PT, 4 assists, 3 rebounds, 1 steal, +4, 34 MIN. Sykes led the Mystics, scoring eight points in the fourth, including a crucial free throw with 4.3 seconds left to secure a 70-68 lead.
- Shakira Austin (C): 16 points, 6/12 FG, 2/2 FT, 8 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block, +6, 32 MIN. Austin’s putback with 39.8 seconds remaining gave Washington their first lead (69-68) since the first quarter.
- Kiki Iriafen (F): 12 points, 5/10 FG, 1/2 3PT, 8 rebounds, +3, 28 MIN. Iriafen’s rebounding and scoring in the paint bolstered the Mystics’ comeback.
- Sonia Citron (G, Bench): 10 points, 4/8 FG, 2/4 3PT, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, +5, 24 MIN. Citron’s two defensive stops in the final minute, including a block on Jackie Young’s layup attempt, were critical.
- Sug Sutton (PG): 8 points, 3/7 FG, 2/3 3PT, 4 assists, -2, 22 MIN. Sutton’s three-pointer in the third quarter sparked a 9-2 run to cut the deficit.
- Aaliyah Nye (G, Bench): 2 points, 1/1 FG, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, +3, 14 MIN. Nye’s limited minutes included a perfect field goal attempt.
- Lucy Olsen (G, Bench): 6 points, 2/6 FG, 1/2 3PT, 2 assists, -1, 18 MIN. Olsen contributed off the bench but struggled with efficiency.
The Mystics converted 4/10 third downs (40.0%) and went 6/8 with runners in scoring position in the second half, capitalizing on 17 points off eight Aces turnovers. They shot 14/17 from the free-throw line (82.4%).
Washington Mystics: Defensive Standouts
The Mystics forced eight turnovers, including five steals, and blocked two shots. Their defense clamped down in the fourth quarter, holding the Aces to 12 points and forcing three missed shots in the final minute.
- Shakira Austin: 1 block, 1 steal, including defensive help on Young’s failed layup attempt in the final seconds.
- Sonia Citron: 2 defensive stops, including a block on Young’s drive, pivotal in the closing moments.
- Brittney Sykes: 1 steal, disrupting Chelsea Gray’s passing lanes in the fourth.
Washington Mystics: Special Teams
- Brittney Sykes: 3/4 FT, including the game-sealing free throw with 4.3 seconds left, contributing to the Mystics’ 14/17 free-throw shooting (82.4%).
Las Vegas Aces: Offensive Struggles
The Aces shot 34.8% from the field (24/69) and 24.2% from three (8/33), with 16 assists but eight turnovers. Without A’ja Wilson, Jewell Loyd and Chelsea Gray led the offense, but a 1-for-15 three-point start and late misses proved costly.
- Jewell Loyd (SG): 20 points, 7/16 FG, 2/7 3PT, 3 rebounds, 2 steals, -3, 36 MIN. Loyd’s contested three-pointer before halftime gave the Aces a 40-27 lead, but she went 2-for-9 overall, struggling late.
- Chelsea Gray (PG): 13 points, 5/12 FG, 1/4 3PT, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks, -2, 34 MIN. Gray’s defensive presence was notable, but her shooting faded in the fourth.
- Kiah Stokes (C): 11 points, 4/8 FG, 1/3 3PT, 8 rebounds, 1 block, -4, 30 MIN. Stokes’ three-pointer in the second quarter helped build the lead, but she couldn’t counter Austin late.
- Jackie Young (SG): 8 points, 3/10 FG, 0/4 3PT, 4 assists, 2 steals, -5, 33 MIN. Young’s layup tied the game at 72 with 11.1 seconds left, but her final layup attempt was blocked.
- Dana Evans (G, Bench): 11 points, 4/7 FG, 2/3 3PT, 2 steals, -1, 20 MIN. Evans provided a spark off the bench but couldn’t sustain the Aces’ lead.
The Aces converted 3/8 third downs (37.5%) and went 4/6 with runners in scoring position in the first half. Their 19/20 free-throw shooting (95.0%) was near-perfect, but their 8/33 three-point shooting (24.2%) hindered their offense.
Las Vegas Aces: Defensive Efforts
The Aces forced 15 turnovers, including six steals, and blocked four shots, but their 18 personal fouls led to the Mystics’ 14 free throws. They struggled to contain Sykes and Austin in the fourth quarter.
- Chelsea Gray: 3 blocks, anchoring the defense early but unable to stop the Mystics’ late run.
- Jewell Loyd: 2 steals, including one that led to a transition bucket in the second quarter.
- Jackie Young: 2 steals, but her missed layup in the final seconds was decisive.
Las Vegas Aces: Special Teams
- Jewell Loyd: 4/4 FT, part of the Aces’ 19/20 free-throw shooting (95.0%), which kept them competitive despite poor field goal shooting.
Key Moments
- First Half Dominance: Loyd’s contested three-pointer before halftime capped a 7-0 run, giving the Aces a 40-27 lead after a 1-for-15 three-point start.
- Third Quarter Push: The Mystics’ 9-2 run, led by Sutton’s three and Iriafen’s putback, cut the deficit to 52-46, setting up their fourth-quarter rally.
- Fourth Quarter Comeback: Trailing 66-58 with 3:45 left, the Mystics closed on a 12-2 run, with Austin’s putback at 39.8 seconds giving them a 69-68 lead.
- Clutch Defense: Citron’s two stops, including a block on Young’s layup with 4.3 seconds left, and Austin’s defensive help preserved the lead.
- Final Sequence: Sykes’ free throw after a foul with 4.3 seconds left made it 70-68, and Young’s missed layup after a timeout sealed the Mystics’ victory.
Statistical Notes
- Three-Point Shooting: The Mystics’ 10/20 (50.0%) from three outshone the Aces’ 8/33 (24.2%), a 30-24 scoring edge that fueled the comeback.
- Field Goal Efficiency: The Mystics’ 40.0% (24/60) edged the Aces’ 34.8% (24/69), reflecting better shot selection in the second half.
- Turnovers: The Aces’ eight turnovers led to 17 Mystics points, while the Mystics’ 15 turnovers yielded only eight Aces points.
- Rebounding: The Aces’ 32 rebounds (7 offensive) trailed the Mystics’ 36 (6 offensive), but both teams scored 12 second-chance points.
- Free Throws: The Aces’ 19/20 (95.0%) free-throw shooting was nearly perfect, but the Mystics’ 14/17 (82.4%) and late makes were clutch.
Series Context
This was the third of three regular-season meetings in 2025. The Aces won the first game 75-72 on May 23, 2025, with Jackie Young’s 25 points and Jewell Loyd’s game-winning three-pointer with 1.9 seconds left. The Mystics won the second game 94-83 on June 26, 2025, led by Sonia Citron’s 21 points and a 10/19 three-point performance, despite missing Brittney Sykes. The Mystics’ win on July 10 gave them a 2-1 series edge in 2025. Historically, the Aces lead the all-time series 28-26 since 2005, with the teams splitting points per game (Aces 78.6, Mystics 79.7).
Injury Notes
- Mystics: Brittney Sykes played through a questionable status (lower leg), but Jade Melbourne left in the first quarter after a facial injury and did not return.
- Aces: A’ja Wilson (right wrist, injured in a loss at New York on July 8) missed the game, with no public MRI results available.
Conclusion
The Washington Mystics’ 70-68 victory over the Las Vegas Aces on July 10, 2025, showcased their resilience and clutch execution. Brittney Sykes’ 18 points and Shakira Austin’s 16 points, including the game-winning putback, powered a 12-2 closing run. Sonia Citron’s defensive stops and Kiki Iriafen’s rebounding were crucial, while the Aces, led by Jewell Loyd’s 20 points and Chelsea Gray’s 13, faltered without A’ja Wilson. The Mystics’ 50.0% three-point shooting and late defensive stands secured their fourth straight home win, improving their record to 10-10. For historical stats (e.g., Cappie Pondexter, Alana Beard), refer to the sports card above, though these reflect older games.
For the full box score and play-by-play, visit ESPN.com, CBS Sports, or Covers.com.
