Clark’s Game-Winning Shot Dashes Mystics Comeback (6-2-26)
By: Jaden Golding
Headline Photo Credit: Washington Mystics
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Washington Mystics were defeated 78-76 in heartbreaking fashion by the Indiana Fever after Caitlin Clark hit the game-winning three-pointer with 1.2 seconds at CareFirst Arena for a Commissioner’s Cup matchup on Monday evening.
Washington (4-5) entered the matchup after dropping their previous matchup by 30+ points against the Atlanta Dream Saturday night, in their second Commissioner’s Cup contest, in which head coach Sydney Johnson was ejected after a dispute with the officials.
The Mystics lost star forward Kiki Iriafen to an ankle injury about a minute into the second quarter after landing awkwardly contesting a shot on defense under the basket.
After trailing by as many as 17 points in the early stages of the third quarter, Georgia Amoore, Lauren Betts, and Michaela Onyenwere guided the team back and even retook the lead by one with under a minute remaining in the game after Shakira Austin made a driving layup.
Clark drew a shooting foul on Amoore on a drive to the basket. However, uncharacteristically, Clark missed both attempts, allowing D.C to keep the lead. But on the ensuing play, Austin lost the ball, and veteran Kelsey Mitchell came back down with a driving layup to put Indiana up by one.
Out of Washington’s timeout, the Mystics drew up a play to free up Citron in the paint and draw a shooting foul of her own. Citron hit both free throws calmly and put Washington back up with 4.3 seconds.
Coming out of a timeout, Sophie Cunningham inbounded the pass and found Clark from on the right side of the court about a foot away from the midcourt logo. Clark caught the pass just past the outstretched hand of Cotie McMahon, who nearly had the steal, and Clark didn’t hesitate, sinking all net with 1.2 seconds left.
Washington advanced the ball to halfcourt, but the inbound play was broken up underneath the paint by Aaliyah Boston.
Indiana moved to 5-5 on the season. Clark finished the contest with 19 points, going 7-for-16 from the floor and 4-for-10 from behind the three-point line. Clark had 10 points in the first quarter but struggled with fouls that kept her off the floor consistently.
Onyenwere led the Mystics in scoring with 17 points on 4-for-7 shooting from the floor, giving the young team a steady veteran presence on both sides of the floor.
Indiana outscored Washington 12-4 through the first five minutes of the second quarter. It allowed them to take their first double-digit lead of the game, using good dribble penetration to create easy baskets underneath and draw fouls on the collapsing Washington defense, getting to the free-throw line.
Up Next:
Washington hosts the Tempo on Friday night.
