Kiki Iriafen’s 25-point performance powers Mystics past short-handed Tempo 79-62

TORONTO — Kiki Iriafen and Shakira Austin each had a double-double to lead the Washington Mystics past the Toronto Tempo 79-62 on Tuesday.

Iriafen had 25 points, 13 in the second half, and 14 rebounds as Washington (12-10) surged ahead in the third quarter.

Austin added 17 points and 10 rebounds as the Mystics won back-to-back games.

Julie Allemand led short-handed Toronto (10-14) with 15 points and five rebounds.

Isabelle Harrison and all-star Marina Mabrey had eight points apiece in the Tempo’s lowest scoring game in their inaugural season. Toronto’s previous low was a 68-65 loss to Washington in its first-ever regular season game on May 8.

Brittney Sykes (left plantar fascia), Kiki Rice (left ankle sprain) and Temi Fagbenle (concussion) all missed the game for Toronto.

Takeaways

Mystics: It was a tale of two halves for Washington, which was losing 32-26 at intermission. Iriafen was dominant as the Mystics outscored the hosts 26-13 in the third and 27-17 in the fourth.

Tempo: Lack of depth continues to hurt Toronto, especially in the frontcourt. Without Rice and Fagbenle, Washington outrebounded the Tempo 46-26 and got 20 second-chance points compared to Toronto’s three.

Key moment

Iriafen’s layup 2:47 into the third quarter capped an 11-3 Mystics run to start the second half. It also gave Washington its first lead since the midway point of the opening quarter.

Key stat

Toronto is in the midst of a nine-game homestand over 25 days, but that’s at three venues: Coca-Cola Coliseum and Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, and Montreal’s Bell Centre.

Up next

Toronto: Hosts the Atlanta Dream on Friday.

Washington: Hosts Bridget Carleton of Chatham-Kent, Ont., and the Portland Fire on Thursday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 14, 2026.

John Chidley-Hill, The Canadian Press