You ever watch a game where the box score looks totally normal but the actual energy in the building feels like a powder keg? That was basically the vibe at Target Center when the Minnesota Lynx and Washington Mystics locked horns for the final time in the 2025 regular season. On paper, it's an 80-76 win for Minnesota. In reality, it was a messy, high-stakes chess match that saw two coaching challenges flip the script in the final ninety seconds.
Honestly, the Lynx should have been in trouble. They were playing without Napheesa Collier—the MVP frontrunner who was sidelined with a right ankle injury. When Phee isn't on the floor, the Lynx usually look like a car trying to drive on three wheels. But Alanna Smith decided it was her night to be the "big dog," as Cheryl Reeve put it. Smith dropped 25 points, including a barrage of late threes that made the Mystics' defense look kind of lost.
The Chaos of Lynx vs Mystics Last Game
The start of this game was actually a disaster for Minnesota. Washington came out swinging, opening up a 10-2 lead that silenced the home crowd early. Shakira Austin was doing whatever she wanted in the paint, and Stefanie Dolson was knocking down shots like she was in a practice gym. The Mystics built a cushion as high as 11 points in that first quarter. You’ve seen this story before: a short-handed favorite overlooks a hungry underdog.
But then things got weird.
💡 You might also like: OU Football Depth Chart 2025: Why Most Fans Are Getting the Roster Wrong
Minnesota started chipping away in the second. DiJonai Carrington, who was making her home debut for the Lynx after coming over in a trade from Dallas, brought this specific kind of chaotic defensive energy that Washington couldn't handle. The game turned into a total tug-of-war. Seven lead changes in the third quarter alone. Every time Sonia Citron—who was absolutely electric with 26 points for the Mystics—hit a bucket, Alanna Smith had an answer.
Why the Final Minute Changed Everything
The climax of the Lynx vs Mystics last game didn't happen on a buzzer-beater. It happened at the scorer's table. With about a minute and a half left, the score was knotted at 76-76. The tension was thick enough to cut with a knife.
Sug Sutton drew what looked like a crucial foul that would have sent her to the line to give Washington the lead. But Cheryl Reeve, who has never met a call she couldn't argue, pulled the challenge flag. She won. The call was overturned. Then, 50 seconds later, another whistle against Courtney Williams. Reeve challenged again. And she won again.
📖 Related: NL Rookie of the Year 2025: Why Drake Baldwin Actually Deserved the Hardware
It was a masterclass in using the rulebook to suck the momentum right out of the opponent. After the second overturned call, the Mystics looked deflated. Kayla McBride ice-colded two free throws to seal it, but the game was won in the replays.
Key Performances You Might Have Missed
While everyone was talking about Smith and Citron, there were some smaller details that tell the real story of the season.
- Kiki Iriafen’s Record: Even in a loss, the Mystics rookie made history. She grabbed 9 boards, officially passing Chamique Holdsclaw for the single-season franchise record for rebounds by a rookie. That’s not a small feat.
- Courtney Williams’ Facilitating: With Collier out, Williams had to be the engine. She finished with 14 points and 5 assists, but it was her baseline jumper after Citron’s game-tying three that actually broke Washington’s spirit.
- The Trade Impact: This was the first look at a "new" Mystics team after they moved Brittney Sykes and Aaliyah Edwards earlier that week. They played faster and more spread out, which actually made them harder for Minnesota to scout.
What This Game Tells Us About the WNBA Landscape
If you're looking for a takeaway from the Lynx vs Mystics last game, it's that depth is more important than a single superstar. Minnesota's ability to win a slugfest without their best player proves they are built for a deep playoff run. For Washington, it was a "moral victory" in a season where they eventually missed the playoffs, finishing 16-28.
👉 See also: New Zealand Breakers vs Illawarra Hawks: What Most People Get Wrong
Citron’s performance was particularly scary. She shot 9-for-12 from the field. That’s a 75% clip as a primary scoring option. If she continues that trajectory, the Mystics won't be in the lottery for much longer.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you're tracking these teams heading into the next season or looking at how to evaluate future matchups, keep these three things in mind:
- Monitor the "Reeve Factor": Cheryl Reeve is arguably the best in the league at late-game management and challenges. When a Lynx game is within 3 points in the final two minutes, the coaching edge almost always swings to Minnesota.
- Sonia Citron is a Top-Tier Asset: Her efficiency numbers are jumping. In her last five games of 2025, she averaged nearly 20 points. She’s becoming a focal point that defenses have to over-rotate toward.
- The Alanna Smith Expansion: Smith isn't just a role player anymore. Her 25-point outburst showed she can carry the offensive load when the primary stars are smothered or sitting out.
The reality is that while the Lynx vs Mystics last game might just look like another win for Minnesota in the standings, it was a blueprint for how they survive without Napheesa Collier. It showed a team that knows how to win ugly, and sometimes, those are the wins that define a championship-caliber culture.
Keep an eye on the injury reports for Collier's ankle recovery, as that will dictate how Minnesota starts their next campaign. For Washington, the off-season priority is clearly finding a veteran point guard who can steady the ship when the "chaos" of a team like the Lynx starts to boil over.