Washington Mystics beat Indiana Fever 93-77, move within 1 game in standings

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Kiki Iriafen led the Washington Mystics to a 93-77 victory over the Indiana Fever, bringing the Mystics within one game of the fifth-place team. Iriafen contributed 21 points and 14 rebounds in the win.

Shakira Austin added 20 points and 10 rebounds for the Mystics, who are currently tied with two other teams for the final playoff berth. The Fever wrap up their season with a home-and-home series against the top-ranked Minnesota Lynx, the WNBA's best record holders at 32-10.

Sonia Citron chipped in 16 points and just fell short of a double-double with nine assists. Georgia Amoore contributed 11 points and three three-pointers for the Mystics.

Washington took an early 34-19 lead in the first quarter and never looked back, leading by as many as 26 points before the half. They dominated with a 77-61 advantage entering the fourth quarter, never being threatened again. Caitlin Clark scored 25 points with five assists for the Fever, while Kelsey Mitchell finished with 22 points.

However, the Fever's backcourt shot just 14 of 40 from the field, including a dismal 6-of-20 on three-pointers. Fever center Aliyah Boston struggled with foul trouble, scoring seven points on eight shots. Indiana's bench didn't contribute any points until Raven Johnson's go-ahead three-pointer with 4:35 left in the third quarter.