Mystics Edge Lynx in Close Contest
Sunday, June 21, 2026, 6:00 PM ET · Target Center
Washington Mystics 84, Minnesota Lynx 79, final. Our WNBA picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Washington Mystics vs Minnesota Lynx?
Washington Mystics beat Minnesota Lynx 84-79 at Target Center on June 21, 2026.
Who was favored in Washington Mystics vs Minnesota Lynx?
Minnesota Lynx were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -1000 (about 91% implied). The underdog won.
In a thrilling matchup at the Target Center, the Washington Mystics narrowly defeated the Minnesota Lynx with a final score of 84-79. This victory marks the Mystics' first win against the Lynx in their last four meetings, as Minnesota had previously won the series 2-1 this season. The Mystics' performance was crucial, especially given their recent form, which has seen them bounce back with two consecutive wins after a mixed stretch of results.
The Lynx entered this game with a strong home record of 13-4 and had been dominant at home, boasting a 9-1 record in their last ten games, including a three-game winning streak. They averaged 94.5 points scored and allowed 77.6 points during this stretch. Their last five games had shown them scoring an average of 96.8 points while allowing 81.6 points. However, the Mystics, with an away record of 8-7, were looking to improve their own form, having won their last two games against the New York Liberty and the Connecticut Sun, both on the road. Washington's recent performance included a scoring average of 81.7 points, but they had also been allowing an average of 84.7 points in their last ten games.
In terms of their head-to-head history, the Lynx had won their previous three encounters against the Mystics, including a victory earlier this season on April 25, 2026, where they won 77-66. However, the Mystics had come into this game with a renewed sense of purpose, aiming to break that streak.
Injuries played a role in the Lynx's lineup, as they were without Elena Buenavida, Antonia Delaere, and Dorka Juhasz, all of whom were out for various reasons. The absence of these players may have impacted the Lynx’s depth and overall performance. The Mystics, meanwhile, fielded a full roster, which contributed to their ability to execute under pressure.
The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had the Lynx favored at -14.5, indicating a strong expectation for them to win. The total points set at 169.5 suggested a competitive scoring environment, and the odds reflected the Lynx's strong home advantage. However, the Mystics' performance defied these expectations, showcasing their ability to compete effectively against a top team.
Conditions in the arena were typical for a summer evening, with fans in attendance creating a vibrant atmosphere that added to the intensity of the matchup. Viewers were treated to a closely contested game, with key moments in the fourth quarter that ultimately decided the outcome.
The final moments saw critical free throws from Sonia Citron and Michaela Onyenwere, which helped the Mystics secure their lead. Citron's contributions in the fourth quarter were particularly noteworthy, as she made several key free throws that extended the Mystics' lead to a decisive margin. Kayla McBride also made crucial free throws for the Lynx, but it was not enough to overcome the Mystics' advantage.
Overall, this game highlighted the competitive nature of the WNBA, with the Mystics proving they could rise to the occasion against a formidable opponent. The Lynx will need to regroup and address their injury situation as they look to bounce back in their next matchup.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | MIN -14.5 | 169.5 o -115 / u -105 | Washington Mystics +650 · Minnesota Lynx -1000 |
Injury report
- Elena BuenavidaOutCoach's DecisionMinnesota Lynx
- Antonia DelaereOutNot Injury RelatedMinnesota Lynx
- Dorka JuhaszOutNot Injury RelatedMinnesota Lynx
Leaders
- PointsOlivia Miles22Minnesota Lynx
- AssistsOlivia Miles6Minnesota Lynx
- ReboundsNia Coffey8Minnesota Lynx
- PointsSonia Citron21Washington Mystics
- AssistsGeorgia Amoore7Washington Mystics
- ReboundsShakira Austin8Washington Mystics
Recent form
Minnesota Lynx
Last 10: 9-1Streak W394.5 scored · 77.6 allowed per game5-0 at home
- W81-75at Golden State ValkyriesJun 20
- W99-83at Los Angeles SparksJun 18
- W107-74vs Portland FireJun 16
- L97-100at Las Vegas AcesJun 14
- W100-76vs Dallas WingsJun 10
- W88-68vs Seattle StormJun 6
- W87-84vs Golden State ValkyriesJun 5
- W111-77at Phoenix MercuryJun 2
- W79-58at Chicago SkyMay 29
- W96-81vs Atlanta DreamMay 28
Washington Mystics
Last 10: 5-5Streak W281.7 scored · 84.7 allowed per game3-3 away
- W86-83at New York LibertyJun 19
- W88-81at Connecticut SunJun 17
- L64-86at New York LibertyJun 14
- W86-85vs Toronto TempoJun 12
- L76-78vs Indiana FeverJun 8
- L77-109at Atlanta DreamJun 6
- W90-72vs Chicago SkyJun 2
- L87-92vs Los Angeles SparksMay 29
- W78-64at Seattle StormMay 28
- L85-97at Seattle StormMay 24
Standings
| Team | Games behind | Lost | Streak | Win % | Won |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | - | 14 | W1 | .650 | 26 |
| Indiana | - | 14 | W2 | .650 | 26 |
| New York | 2 | 16 | W1 | .600 | 24 |
| Washington | 2 | 16 | L1 | .600 | 24 |
| Chicago | 11 | 25 | L3 | .375 | 15 |
| Toronto | 15 | 29 | L4 | .275 | 11 |
| Connecticut | 16 | 30 | L3 | .250 | 10 |
| Minnesota | - | 9 | L2 | .775 | 31 |
| Golden State | 2 | 11 | W4 | .725 | 29 |
| Las Vegas | 4 | 13 | W3 | .675 | 27 |
| Dallas | 7 | 16 | W4 | .600 | 24 |
| Portland | 15 | 24 | L1 | .400 | 16 |
| Los Angeles | 16 | 25 | W2 | .375 | 15 |
| Phoenix | 17 | 26 | W1 | .350 | 14 |
| Seattle | 23 | 32 | L1 | .200 | 8 |
Box score
| Stat | Washington Mystics | Minnesota Lynx |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 28-61 | 31-71 |
| Field goal % | 46 | 44 |
| Three-pointers | 7-19 | 4-21 |
| Three-point % | 37 | 19 |
| Free throws | 21-29 | 13-14 |
| Free throw % | 72 | 93 |
| Rebounds | 33 | 27 |
| Offensive rebounds | 8 | 7 |
| Defensive rebounds | 25 | 20 |
| Assists | 20 | 18 |
| Steals | 7 | 11 |
| Blocks | 3 | 7 |
| Turnovers | 16 | 12 |
| Team turnovers | 2 | 2 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 26 | 22 |
| Fast-break points | 0 | 8 |
| Points in the paint | 42 | 44 |
| Fouls | 16 | 25 |
| Largest lead | 6 | 10 |
| Lead changes | 11 | 11 |
| Time in front | 6 | 78 |
How the scoring went
- 3rd Quarter49-51Olivia Miles makes 1-foot two point shot
- 3rd Quarter49-53Olivia Miles makes driving layup
- 3rd Quarter51-53Sonia Citron makes driving layup (Georgia Amoore assists)
- 3rd Quarter51-56Olivia Miles makes 24-foot three pointer
- 3rd Quarter53-56Shakira Austin makes 2-foot layup (Angela Dugalic assists)
- 3rd Quarter53-58Natasha Howard makes 2-foot layup (Olivia Miles assists)
- 3rd Quarter54-58Sonia Citron makes free throw 1 of 2
- 3rd Quarter54-59Anastasiia Olairi Kosu makes free throw 1 of 2
- 3rd Quarter54-60Kayla McBride makes free throw 1 of 1
- 3rd Quarter56-60Cotie McMahon makes driving layup
- 4th Quarter59-60Sonia Citron makes 24-foot three point step back jumpshot (Georgia Amoore assists)
- 4th Quarter59-61Olivia Miles makes free throw 1 of 2
- 4th Quarter59-62Olivia Miles makes free throw 2 of 2
- 4th Quarter61-62Georgia Amoore makes driving layup
- 4th Quarter63-62Lauren Betts makes layup (Cotie McMahon assists)
- 4th Quarter63-65Kayla McBride makes 24-foot three point jumper (Nia Coffey assists)
- 4th Quarter66-65Cotie McMahon makes 24-foot three point jumper (Georgia Amoore assists)
- 4th Quarter66-67Natasha Howard makes 3-foot layup (Kayla McBride assists)
- 4th Quarter66-69Courtney Williams makes 17-foot pullup jump shot
- 4th Quarter68-69Kiki Iriafen makes driving layup (Cotie McMahon assists)
- 4th Quarter69-69Kiki Iriafen makes free throw 1 of 1
- 4th Quarter70-69Cotie McMahon makes free throw 2 of 2
- 4th Quarter70-71Olivia Miles makes driving layup (Kayla McBride assists)
- 4th Quarter70-72Olivia Miles makes free throw 1 of 1
- 4th Quarter70-74Natasha Howard makes layup (Courtney Williams assists)
- 4th Quarter70-75Natasha Howard makes free throw 1 of 2
- 4th Quarter70-76Natasha Howard makes free throw 2 of 2
- 4th Quarter73-76Cotie McMahon makes 22-foot three pointer (Sonia Citron assists)
- 4th Quarter75-76Kiki Iriafen makes layup
- 4th Quarter77-76Kiki Iriafen makes 3-foot driving floating jump shot (Georgia Amoore assists)
- 4th Quarter78-76Georgia Amoore makes free throw 1 of 2
- 4th Quarter79-76Kiki Iriafen makes free throw 1 of 2
- 4th Quarter80-76Michaela Onyenwere makes free throw 2 of 2
- 4th Quarter81-76Sonia Citron makes free throw 1 of 2
- 4th Quarter82-76Sonia Citron makes free throw 2 of 2
- 4th Quarter82-77Kayla McBride makes free throw 1 of 3
- 4th Quarter82-78Kayla McBride makes free throw 2 of 3
- 4th Quarter82-79Kayla McBride makes free throw 3 of 3
- 4th Quarter83-79Sonia Citron makes free throw 1 of 2
- 4th Quarter84-79Sonia Citron makes free throw 2 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours Minnesota Lynx, below favours Washington Mystics.
Venue
- Target CenterMinneapolis, MN
- Attendance11610
- OfficialsAmy Bonner, Agon Abazi, Ryan Johnson
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WNBA rules and settlement
These two, other days
- Lynx Defeat Mystics 94-84 in WNBA ClashAug 21, 2026
- Lynx Edge Mystics in Close ContestJun 24, 2026
- Lynx Defeat Mystics in WNBA ShowdownApr 25, 2026