Mystics Beat Mercury as Kelsey Plum Returns

The Washington Mystics beat the Phoenix Mercury 94-84 on Tuesday night in Phoenix, and Kelsey Plum played her first game since Aug. 9. Sonia Citron led Washington with 19 points and nine assists. Kiki Iriafen added 18 points and 10 rebounds for her 17th double-double. CBS Sports and the Associated Press both posted the 10 p.m. local result from Mortgage Matchup Center.

Plum, now with Phoenix, scored 10 points in 17 minutes on 4-of-12 shooting (1 of 5 from three). She picked up five fouls and finished a minus-18. It was a rust night more than a statement. Natasha Mack and Kahleah Copper each scored 19 for the Mercury (13-25). Alyssa Thomas had 16 points and 10 assists. Phoenix shot 3 of 17 from three.

What was the Mystics vs Mercury score?

Washington won 94-84. The Mystics (23-15) shot 59 percent in the first half and led 51-33 at the break after quarters of 24-15 and 27-18. They held a double-digit lead the entire second half. The largest gap was 64-44. Phoenix won the third 27-26 and the fourth 24-17, but never got inside two possessions for long. Washington shot 51.5 percent overall and 42.9 percent from three (9 of 21).

Shakira Austin scored 16 points with six rebounds and two blocks. Michaela Onyenwere and Lauren Betts each had 10, with Betts adding eight rebounds. A Phoenix bench player did not make a field goal until Plum's jumper with 4:42 left in the third. That is how far behind the second unit sat before the former Ace checked in and tried to change the temperature.

How did Kelsey Plum look in her return?

Limited, foul-prone, and involved. Seventeen minutes is a real workload for a first night back, not a cameo. She hit a three from 25 feet off a Thomas assist to cut the lead to 64-51, then added a 15-foot jumper. She also missed layups and threes, and the five fouls ended any chance of a closing run. Copper and Mack carried the scoring. Thomas ran the offense. Plum was a piece, not the engine.

Washington now has the second-most regular-season wins in franchise history, trailing the 2019 WNBA champion team's 26, with six games remaining. Phoenix is 13-25 and still digesting a messy August. The Mercury already bought out DeWanna Bonner this week. Plum's return is the next attempt to make the roster look like a playoff club. The teams play again Thursday in Phoenix. One night does not fix a 3-for-17 three-point night.

The other late WNBA ticket Tuesday was in Texas, where Paige Bueckers and the Wings clinched the final playoff spot. Washington is already in the mix for seeding. Phoenix is playing out the string and hoping Plum's minutes tick up before the last week.

Mystics vs Mercury FAQ

What was the Mystics vs Mercury final score? Washington won 94-84 in Phoenix.

Did Kelsey Plum play? Yes. It was her first game since Aug. 9. She scored 10 points in 17 minutes.

Who led the Mystics in scoring? Sonia Citron with 19 points and nine assists. Kiki Iriafen had 18 and 10 rebounds.