Washington Mystics guard Sonia Citron (22) handles the ball on the perimeter during Wednesday’s 88-81 victory over the Connecticut Sun at Mohegan Sun Arena. (Photo: Josh Davey | The Podium Finish)
UNCASVILLE, Conn. — As the Washington Mystics navigate a demanding stretch of the schedule short-handed, sophomore guard Sonia Citron is demonstrating the poise and execution of a seasoned veteran. Following a tight fourth-quarter battle against the Connecticut Sun on Wednesday night, the Mystics secured an 88-81 victory at Mohegan Sun Arena, closing out this year’s WNBA Commissioner’s Cup play with momentum. Despite missing key frontcourt pieces, Citron delivered a masterful performance to anchor Washington on both ends of the hardwood.
The 6-foot-1 guard from the University of Notre Dame has quickly evolved into a primary engine for the Washington offense in her second professional season. Selected third overall in the 2025 WNBA Draft, Citron has made a substantial statistical leap. She is currently averaging 17.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game, expanding upon her productive rookie metrics of 15.5 points and 3.9 rebounds.
Against Connecticut, Citron put together her finest performance of the summer, logging a game-high 26 points, a career-high 12 rebounds, and four assists to secure her first double-double of the season.
An Unshakable Fourth Quarter
Washington Mystics guard Sonia Citron (22) directs traffic at the top of the key during a physical matchup in Uncasville, Conn. (Photo: Josh Davey | The Podium Finish)
The true measure of Citron’s impact occurred in the final period after Connecticut mounted a furious rally to erase a double-digit deficit. When the Sun tied the game at 70 late in the fourth quarter, silencing the momentum Washington had built throughout the second half, Citron took complete control of the contest. Rather than allowing the offense to stagnate under defensive pressure, she orchestrated a personal scoring run that put the Mystics ahead for good.
During the postgame press conference, Citron detailed her mindset during the critical late-game sequence.
“Honestly, my mindset was just to stay aggressive and take what the defense was giving me,” Citron said. “We knew they were going to make a run because they are a tough team playing on their home floor. When they tied it up, we did not panic.”
Her ability to navigate the closing minutes without turning the ball over showcased a level of maturity that has defined her sophomore campaign. Citron consistently found pathways through the Connecticut defense, absorbing physical contact in the paint and generating high-quality possessions when the team required structure.
Perfection From the Stripe
Washington Mystics guard Sonia Citron (22) locks in at the free-throw line, where she shot a perfect 12-of-12 on Wednesday night. (Photo: Josh Davey | The Podium Finish)
A central component of Citron’s offensive dominance on Wednesday night was her relentless attack on the basket, which repeatedly sent her to the free-throw line. The sophomore guard finished the evening shooting 7-of-13 from the field, but her efficiency from the charity stripe ultimately sealed the victory for Washington. Citron was a perfect 12-of-12 from the free-throw line, punishing the Sun for their defensive aggressiveness and preventing the hosts from initiating transition opportunities.
Citron credited her teammates for creating the spacing necessary to attack the interior defense.
“My teammates did an amazing job of putting me in positions to succeed, finding me in the right spots, and creating space,” Citron noted. “I was able to get to my spots, get downhill, and draw contact. Going twelve for twelve from the free-throw line is just about staying locked in, slowing my breathing down, and focusing on finishing out the possession for our squad.”
Her flawless execution from the line placed her in elite franchise territory. With the statistical line, Citron became just the fifth player in Washington history to lead or co-lead the team in points, rebounds, and assists in a single game, highlighting her versatile role within the backcourt rotation.
Stepping Up While Short-Handed
Washington Mystics guard Sonia Citron (22) slices through the Connecticut Sun defense to create an interior scoring opportunity. (Photo: Josh Davey | The Podium Finish)
The victory was particularly significant given the roster adversity Washington faced entering Mohegan Sun Arena. The Mystics played without forward Kiki Iriafen due to an ankle injury and center Shakira Austin due to a knee ailment, stripping the team of their typical interior depth. The absences meant Citron and the remaining perimeter players had to prioritize defensive rebounding against a physical Connecticut frontline.
Washington responded by out-rebounding the Sun 34-26, with Citron securing a game-high 11 defensive boards to spark the fast-break offense.
“We knew we had to collectively make up for that missing presence with Kiki and Shakira out tonight,” Citron explained. “Rebounding cannot just fall on one person when you are short-handed. It has to be a total team effort. I just tried to read the ball off the rim, use my size, and fly in from the perimeter to help secure possessions.”
The short-handed lineup also opened the door for rookie center Lauren Betts to make her first career WNBA start. Betts excelled in the expanded role, contributing 13 points and seven rebounds while matching the physical interior play of the Sun. Citron praised the rookie’s composure under pressure, noting that Betts brought immense energy and poise inside to give the entire group a massive confidence boost.
Perimeter Chemistry and Spacing
Beyond the interior contributions of Betts, Citron benefited immensely from the perimeter hot streak of forward Michaela Onyenwere. Onyenwere delivered a season-high 22 points on 8-of-12 shooting, including a perfect 4-of-4 performance from beyond the three-point arc. The outside shooting accuracy prevented Connecticut from collapsing their defense into the paint, leaving driving lanes open for Citron.
Citron underscored that Onyenwere’s perimeter threat completely transforms the geometry of the Washington offense.
“Michaela was absolutely phenomenal tonight,” Citron said. “When she is knocking down shots from downtown like that, it changes everything for our offense. It forces the defense to stay extended and respect her range, which completely opens up the lanes for me to drive and create.”
The synergy between Citron and Onyenwere underscored a broader trend of offensive growth for the Mystics. Washington moved the ball with exceptional precision throughout the evening, recording 18 assists on 26 made field goals, ensuring that the offense remained dynamic even as the game slowed down in the final minutes.
Navigating the Sophomore Journey
Sonia Citron (22) of the Washington Mystics goes for the layup in her team’s 2026 WNBA Commissioner’s Cup finale. (Photo: Josh Davey | The Podium Finish)
With the win, Washington improves to a 6-7 overall record, finding stable footing as they head into a critical summer stretch. Rebuilding and developing a young core simultaneously presents unique challenges, but Citron’s rapid ascension into a reliable late-game closer provides head coach Sydney Johnson with a clear blueprint moving forward.
Throughout her sophomore campaign, Citron has repeatedly shown flashes of elite scoring versatility. Her season resume includes a stellar 30-point performance against Indiana on May 15 and a 26-point outing against Toronto on May 8, demonstrating that her offensive output is sustainable against various defensive schemes. Her consistency has allowed Washington to remain competitive in a dense Eastern Conference standings race.
As the Mystics prepare to travel to meet the New York Liberty, the foundational steps taken in Uncasville provide a strong template. By coupling technical self-assessment with an aggressive, fearless approach on the floor, the sophomore guard is ensuring that Washington possesses both the leadership and execution required to compete with the elite franchises of the league.
