For teams that aren’t in the championship mix, the season can’t just be about wins and losses. The Washington Mystics, particularly in 2025, are having a season that’s exceeded expectations, filled with learning moments. With a roster bursting with young, talented players, they also have experienced veterans to guide them. This was evident after their recent loss to the New York Liberty, where a heartfelt moment unfolded.
The team fell to the Liberty, 86-78, leaving them at 8-0 against New York. Following the buzzer, Stef Dolson gathered the players for a team huddle. The cameras caught her delivering an encouraging speech focused on the younger members, especially rookie Kiki Iliafen and Sonia Citron, the third overall draft pick.
While we couldn’t hear her exact words, the engagement of the young players was clear. Keeping a team united during a difficult season can be tough, especially for players used to winning in college. It felt like a bonding experience, but also a chance for the rookies to soak in wisdom from veterans like Dolson who have achieved success at all levels.
Shortly after, Jade Melbourne shared what Dolson said during the huddle, emphasizing the need to improve against the Liberty compared to the previous week. When you’re a rebuilding team up against a powerhouse like New York, fresh off a 48-point victory over Connecticut, it’s definitely something to acknowledge.
Stef Dolson pulled the whole mystics into the huddle after the buzzer sounded tonight.
Jade Melbourne said Dolson “look at the growth he grew when he played New York last week. We were in that game.” pic.twitter.com/cue9q8mhhj
– Tyler Byrum (@thetylerbyrum) June 6, 2025
Growth is vital for the Mystics. After trading for the third overall pick in the 2025 draft, they selected Sonia Citron and later Georgia Amoor. So far, the strategy seems to be paying off. Iliafen recently won the Rookie of the Month Award, while Citron became the first rookie this season to surpass 100 points.
Both Iliafen and Citron are the first rookies since A’ja Wilson to start their careers with eight or more double-digit scoring games. Iliafen also made history as the fastest WNBA rookie to achieve 50 points and 50 rebounds. Upon receiving the Rookie of the Month honor, Iliafen expressed that her teammates helped her rediscover the joy of playing basketball.
The presence of veterans like Dolson and Britney Sykes is bound to accelerate the development of these promising rookies. This season, they’ve surpassed initial expectations, starting with a 2-0 record and securing eighth place in the league. There’s a strong possibility they could make it to the playoffs.
The Mystics are set to take on the Connecticut Sun on Sunday. It will be another opportunity for them to bounce back after suffering three consecutive losses against the Liberty and Indiana Fever.
