When the Washington Mystics traveled to Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Friday night, all eyes were on the Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark. But it was Washington’s rising star, Sonia Citron, who truly stole the show. In a phenomenal display of composure and efficiency, Citron led the Mystics to a gritty 104-102 overtime victory over the Fever.
Clark delivered the dramatic fireworks fans have come to expect, but Citron’s surgical precision and steady hand—especially in the extra period—proved to be the deciding factor in one of the best matchups of the young 2026 WNBA season.
The Heroics of Caitlin Clark
There’s no denying that Caitlin Clark is a box-office sensation, and Friday night was no exception. Despite Washington holding a comfortable 14-point lead in the second half, Clark simply refused to let her team go down quietly.
- Fourth-Quarter Frenzy: Clark erupted for 17 points in the final frame to rally Indiana back from the brink.
- The Equalizer: With just 1.7 seconds remaining in regulation, she drained a heavily contested three-pointer from the left wing to knot the game at 89-apiece and force overtime.
“Clark’s ability to hit impossible shots under pressure is unmatched, but basketball is ultimately a game of efficiency.”
Despite finishing with a game-high 32 points and seven three-pointers, Clark’s production required a massive volume of shots. She finished 10-of-28 from the field, highlighting a night where sheer volume overshadowed efficiency.
Sonia Citron: A Masterclass in Efficiency
While Clark was launching from the logo, Sonia Citron was meticulously dismantling the Fever’s defense. The former Notre Dame standout proved exactly why the Mystics selected her third overall in the 2025 WNBA Draft.
Citron finished with 30 points, shooting a blazing 71.4% from the floor. When the game went into overtime, she didn’t shrink from the moment; instead, she took over, contributing five points and two crucial assists in the extra period.
Here is how the two guards matched up:
| Player | Points | Field Goals | FG% | Assists | Rebounds |
| Sonia Citron | 30 | 10-14 | 71.4% | 4 | 6 |
| Caitlin Clark | 32 | 10-28 | 35.7% | 8 | 4 |
Citron’s ability to get to her spots, draw contact, and sink her free throws (9-of-10 from the stripe) gave the Mystics a reliable scoring anchor that weathered the storm of Indiana’s late-game perimeter barrage.
The Frontcourt Difference
Citron didn’t have to do it alone. The Mystics absolutely dominated the paint, outscoring the Fever 48-28 inside. A massive part of that interior presence was Kiki Iriafen.
- Kiki Iriafen: Bullied the Fever inside for 25 points and 13 rebounds on an efficient 11-of-17 shooting.
- Shakira Austin: Added 19 points and blocked 3 shots to anchor the defensive end.
- Cotie McMahon: The rookie chipped in 13 points in her debut, including five critical points in OT.
The Fever, relying heavily on the outside shot (launching 42 three-point attempts), couldn’t find the answers needed in the paint once Aliyah Boston left the game with a lower leg injury in the third quarter.
Looking Ahead
This 104-102 victory sends a loud message to the rest of the league. While the Fever have the ultimate spark plug in Clark, the Mystics possess a terrifyingly efficient, balanced roster. Sonia Citron just proved she can go toe-to-toe with the WNBA’s brightest stars—and come out on top.
