PHOENIX — Georgia Amoore picked the right night for the best scoring performance of her young career.
Amoore poured in a career-high 25 points, Kiki Iriafen added a 20-point, 12-rebound double-double and the Washington Mystics erased a four-point fourth-quarter deficit to beat the Phoenix Mercury 80-73 Thursday night.
The victory completed Washington’s 3-0 season sweep of Phoenix, its first sweep of the Mercury since 2010.
Washington entered the fourth trailing 57-53, but Amoore helped turn the game. Her 8-foot jumper put the Mystics ahead 67-65 during the decisive stretch, and Washington went on to outscore Phoenix 27-16 in the final period.
It marked the Mystics’ 10th fourth-quarter comeback of the season, tied with the 2024 Atlanta Dream for the second-most in a season in WNBA history. Only the 2010 Seattle Storm, with 14, have recorded more.
Amoore was brilliant from the perimeter, shooting 9-of-16 from the field and 6-of-11 from 3-point range while adding four assists and two steals. She became the eighth rookie in Mystics history to score at least 25 points in a game.
Her performance helped Washington withstand a 35-point night from Kahleah Copper, who accounted for nearly half of Phoenix’s scoring.
Iriafen gave the Mystics another steady presence with 20 points on 9-of-17 shooting and 12 rebounds. It was her 19th double-double of the season and fifth straight game with at least 10 points and 10 rebounds, matching Chamique Holdsclaw as the only Mystics players to produce such a streak.
Washington also continued to impose itself inside. The Mystics outrebounded Phoenix 35-29 and scored 44 points in the paint, while Shakira Austin contributed 11 points and seven rebounds.
That work on the glass has become a defining feature of Washington’s season. The Mystics have now outrebounded their opponent 36 times, extending their WNBA single-season record.
Betnijah Laney-Hamilton directed the offense with a team-high seven assists as Washington shot 47.5% from the field and assisted on 20 of its 29 made baskets.
Phoenix stayed within striking distance behind Copper’s scoring, while Alyssa Thomas finished with 10 rebounds and eight assists. But after taking its four-point advantage into the fourth, the Mercury couldn’t contain Amoore and the Mystics down the stretch.
Washington had already beaten Phoenix twice this month. This time, the Mystics had to come from behind to finish the job and their rookie guard delivered the defining performance.
The win brings Washington Mystics to a record of 23-15 on the season, while the loss brings Phoenix Mercury to a record of 13-25.
