The Las Vegas Aces secured a narrow 75-72 victory over the Washington Mystics on Friday night at Michelob Ultra Arena in Nevada. Rookie forward Kiki Iriafen stood out for the Mystics, posting a double-double and joining Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark in the exclusive group of WNBA rookies with consecutive double-double performances.
Kiki Iriafen’s Remarkable Rookie Streak Highlights Washington’s Efforts
Kiki Iriafen continued to impress by scoring 17 points and grabbing 13 rebounds on efficient 7-of-10 shooting, marking her third consecutive double-double to start her WNBA career. This achievement makes her the first rookie in Washington Mystics history to reach this milestone, reflecting her significant impact. Iriafen now joins Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Satou Sabally as the only first-year players since 2020 to record three straight double-doubles.
Across the game, Iriafen maintained an average close to 14 points per game with 51% shooting accuracy and 75% from the free-throw line. She also leads the Mystics in rebounding, securing an average of 10 rebounds per game. This early consistency positions the No. 4 overall pick as a strong candidate for All-Rookie honors and potentially Rookie of the Year.
Las Vegas Aces Secure Win Behind Key Contributions from A’ja Wilson and Jackie Young
The Las Vegas Aces clinched their win by scoring the final nine points of the game, with Jewell Loyd hitting a decisive corner three-pointer with just 1.9 seconds left on the clock. Jackie Young led the offense with 25 points, while A’ja Wilson contributed a well-rounded double-double, recording 15 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, and three blocks.
Rookie Performances Stand Out Across the League
Elsewhere in the league, Caitlin Clark has demonstrated impressive all-around play with back-to-back strong games, including 15 points and 13 assists against the Sparks, followed by 23 points and nine rebounds versus the Sky, and 30 points and six assists against the Mystics. Similarly, Angel Reese posted three consecutive double-doubles, scoring 11 points with 12 rebounds against the Liberty, then 13 points with 11 rebounds versus the Wings, and an outstanding 16 points and 18 rebounds against the Sparks.
While some top rookies, such as Paige Bueckers and Dominique Malonga, are still adjusting to league play, Kiki Iriafen’s steady production has drawn attention for the Mystics’ rebuilding efforts. Veteran players like Brittney Sykes also contributed strong performances despite the team’s close loss.
With continued effort and consistency, Iriafen’s growth could play a major role in the Mystics’ season and establish her as a formidable rookie in this year’s WNBA class.