Sutton’s Layup Lifts Washington Over Minnesota (6-24-25)

By: Jaden Golding

Headline Photo Credit: WNBA

WASHINGTON D.C.  – Point Guard Sug Sutton was the next Mystic player to play hero ball, making a last-second game-winning layup to give the Mystics a narrow 68-64 victory over the Minnesota Lynx on Tuesday evening at CareFirst Arena. 

The Lynx (12-2) led 64-62 with 42 seconds remaining in the game. Alanna Smith missed a layup, and the Mystics (7-8) gained possession, where Shakira Austin found an open Jade Melbourne in the corner who missed the go-ahead 3-pointer attempt. However, Austin grabbed the offensive rebound and had a putback bucket to tie the game, 64-64, with 32 seconds on the clock. 

On the ensuing offensive possession for Minnesota, Courtney Williams mishandled an inbound pass that went off her hands and was scooped up by Sutton, who took it the length of the court for the layup, giving the Mystics a two-point lead. Williams had an opportunity to tie the game, but couldn’t get the 17-foot pull-up to fall, forcing Minnesota to foul intentionally. 

Last night was a big one for Sug 😤⁰⁰‼️Added 12 points and a career-high four steals. ⁰⁰‼️Marked her first stretch of consecutive double-digit scoring games with the Mystics. ⁰⁰‼️She's on a steal streak! Recording multiple steals in three of the last four games. pic.twitter.com/OQOHX4IzxN

— Washington Mystics (@WashMystics) June 25, 2025

Sonia Citron hit the pair of free-throw attempts with 6.1 seconds to seal the Mystics’ victory.

Austin led Washington with 19 points, and eight rebounds, and shared with Sutton a game-leading plus-13 rating.  Sutton scored 12 points, had four assists, and four steals. 

Kiki Irafen secured her fifth double-double performance of her young career, scoring 11 points and collecting 11 rebounds. 

Smith finished with a career-high 26 points on 9-of-17 shooting, grabbing five rebounds and swatting six shots. Jessica Shepard was the only other Lynx to score in double figures (12 points) and also grabbed 15 rebounds, notching her second double-double of the season. 

Both teams struggled shooting from the field, only shooting under 40% from the field each. 

Minnesota was handed just its second loss of the season, while Washington has won not only back-to-back games but three out of its last four. 

Up Next:

Washington begins a three-game road trip on Thursday evening with its second matchup against the Aces this season. Tip-off starts at 10 p.m. ET.