Mystics fall to Dream 109-77 despite Kiki Iriafen's 24 points

Kiki Iriafen scored a game-high 24 points, but the Washington Mystics lost to the Atlanta Dream 109-77 on Saturday night at Gateway Center Arena in College Park, GA.

The loss dropped Washington to 4-5 and ended a stretch in which the Mystics had won two of three. Atlanta moved to 7-3.

Mystics vs Dream: what decided the game

The margin came from the perimeter and the glass. Atlanta made 13 of 25 from 3-point range, a 52.0 percent clip, while Washington hit just 5 of 16 from deep, 31.3 percent. The Dream also controlled the boards 42-26, including 16 offensive rebounds to Washington's eight, which gave Atlanta repeated extra possessions.

Washington shot 44.8 percent from the field. Atlanta shot 48.5 percent and got to the free throw line 41 times, making 32. The Mystics committed 17 turnovers to the Dream's 12.

Rhyne Howard led Atlanta with 19 points. Angel Reese pulled down a game-high 17 rebounds, while Jordin Canada and Allisha Gray each had five assists. The Dream finished with 21 assists to Washington's 17.

Kiki Iriafen leads all scorers

Iriafen finished with 24 points on 8-of-15 shooting, the third 20-point game of her season and the ninth of her career. It was the first time this season that she led the game in scoring. She also shot at least .500 on 15 or more attempts for the second time this year and the seventh time in her career.

Sonia Citron adds 18 and six assists

Sonia Citron scored 18 points on 5-of-10 shooting and handed out a game-high six assists. It was her second game this season with at least 15 points and five assists, the third of her career. By shooting .500 on 10 attempts, she reached at least .500 on 10 or more attempts for the fourth time this season and the 16th time in her career.

Cotie McMahon led the Washington reserves with seven points and two rebounds.

Bright spots inside and on defense

Washington scored 40 points in the paint, its sixth game reaching that mark this season, which is tied with the Los Angeles Sparks for the second-most such games in the league. The Mystics recorded 17 assists, their seventh game with more than 15 this season, and blocked four shots, their fifth game with at least four blocks in 2026.

What's next for the Mystics

Washington returns home to host the Indiana Fever on Monday at 7 p.m. ET. The Mystics and Dream meet again twice later this season, on July 2 and August 7, both in Washington.