Caitlin Clark’s crazy game-winner leaves Mystics coach with bright silver lining

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Monday, the Washington Mystics may have suffered their most demoralizing loss since their rebuild started last year. After erasing a 17-point deficit, they lost 78-76 to the Indiana Fever at home on a game-winning three-pointer by superstar guard Caitlin Clark.

Mystics head coach Sydney Johnson told ClutchPoints what the team can learn after leaving the NCAA all-time scoring leader wide open on that shot.

I asked Mystics head coach Sydney Johnson what the team can learn from Caitlin Clark being left wide-open on her game-winning shot last night:

"It's hard to win in the W. Playing all the way through, I thought we learned a lot. I was incredibly proud of our fight. We had moments… pic.twitter.com/Y2mcMvlk0o

— Joshua Valdez (@joshvaldez100) June 9, 2026

“It’s hard to win in the W. Playing all the way through, I thought we learned a lot,” the second-year coach said. “I was incredibly proud of our fight. We had moments where we were on the ropes, and to see us show that Mystics DNA, the togetherness, the toughness…We don’t even get to that moment if we don’t show who we are.”

“We just show DC and the nation who we are day in and day out. That’s a good feeling,” he continued. “And then yeah, you gotta do whatever you can until the final buzzer, and we came up short by one possession. But I couldn’t be prouder of how they acquitted themselves throughout that game. A lot of adversity, foul trouble, missing Kiki [Iriafen]…A lot of fight from this team, it’s wonderful.”

Johnson had reason to be proud, as Washington nearly won despite being down for most of the game and Iriafen playing just eight minutes due to an ankle injury. The 2025 All-Star needed help getting to the locker room after colliding with Indiana center Aliyah Boston in the second quarter before being diagnosed with a right ankle sprain.

However, leaving a shooting savant open with a one-point lead in the final seconds can’t happen. Mystics rookie guard Cotie McMahon guarded Clark at the beginning of the Fever’s inbounds play with 4.2 seconds left, but she signaled for second-year guard Sonia Citron to switch as Clark ran from the right block to the opposite wing. But Citron didn’t switch off of Indiana guard Lexie Hull, who ran from inside the left wing to the right corner. McMahon then rushed back to steal the ball when Fever guard Sophie Cunningham passed it to Clark across the court, but came up empty-handed. That left Clark open several feet behind the arc, and she drained the shot with 1.2 seconds left.

CAITLIN CLARK WITH THE GAME WINNING BOMB pic.twitter.com/tjSk2gezMb

— Heavens! (@HeavensFX) June 9, 2026

Miscommunications happen with young teams, and this is a learning moment for Washington, which has the youngest roster in WNBA history. Johnson pointed to that fact on Monday when asked about rookie center Lauren Betts’ performance off the bench.

“It’s a big transition for Lauren and all of our young players,” he admitted. “11 of our 13 players are in their first or second years in the WNBA. Lauren showed off a bit tonight, we’ve seen that before as well. It’s working hard every day so that the consistency in our gym and everything we”re doing with our coaches translates to [the game]. And yet, that environment is new often.”

“These moments and these players and the officiating, it’s all just new to them,” he continued. “Super proud of Lauren, she’s gonna have more games like that. But what we’re doing here in D.C. is readying them for this journey, and a night like tonight is another step to where we want to go.”

Young Mystics produce mixed results vs. Fever after Kiki Iriafen injury

Betts tallied eight points (4-5 FG) with three rebounds and one assist in 12 minutes off the bench. The No. 4 overall pick out of UCLA ranks just ninth on the Mystics with 13.7 minutes per game, illustrating Johnson’s point of “readying” the young players for the journey. She’s backing up veteran center Shakira Austin, who re-signed with the team on a three-year max deal this past offseason, and the coaching staff is easing her rather than making her an immediate starter.

Betts is one of several young Washington players transitioning from starting full-time in college to a WNBA backup. Another example is McMahon, who has started three out of eight games so far after starting all 133 of her games for Ole Miss. The 23-year-old opened up about the transition before the Mystics’ 90-72 win over the Chicago Sky on June 2.

“It’s definitely something I’ve had to learn to deal with. Coming in, you don’t really know what to expect,” she admitted. “The coaching staff helps me stay the course and stay ready when my number’s called…There are so many games in the season, you never know when your time is gonna be. But it’s gonna come eventually. Just staying patient and making sure I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing, and then everything else will take care of itself.”

Monday was an example of why Washington’s young players must stay ready. McMahon not only logged 22 minutes off the bench, which topped the second unit, but she also filled in at power forward with Iriafen out. Veteran forward Michaela Onyenwere spoke about the challenge of her and McMahon replacing Iriafen on the fly, as they’re both three inches shorter than the USC alum.

I asked Michaela Onyenwere how she felt like the Mystics responded after Kiki Iriafen (ankle) left the game:

"I think we responded well. Obviously, losing a big piece like Kiki was tough. It made our rotations a little bit tougher too. We had to go a little bit small with me at… pic.twitter.com/XtE2VHNn2H

— Joshua Valdez (@joshvaldez100) June 9, 2026

“I think we responded well [after Iriafen went down],” the 26-year-old told ClutchPoints. “Obviously, losing a big piece like Kiki was tough. It made our rotations a little bit tougher too. We had to go a little bit small with me at the four, Cotie at the four. But she’s a great player for us, provides so many great things offensively and defensively. I think it sparked us to say ‘Next woman up’ and be ready for the moment. I’m proud of the people who stepped up from the bench. That’s the way our team is built, you gotta be ready for your time…But obviously, we missed Kiki.”

McMahon led the bench with a plus-seven plus/minus despite a rough shooting night, as she scored seven points (2-10 FG, 0-3 3-point) with seven rebounds, three assists and one turnover. Additionally, rookie forward Angela Dugalic tallied seven points (3-5 FG, 0-1 3-point) with five rebounds, two steals, two turnovers, one assist and one block over 18 minutes off the bench.

The Mystics are now 4-6 and have room for growth, but their performance in the wake of Iriafen’s injury against the Fever showed that their depth helps make up for their inexperience. Up next is a home date with the Toronto Tempo on Friday night.

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