Washington Mystics Edge Portland Fire in High-Scoring Thriller
Portland, OR – August 24, 2026 – The Washington Mystics survived a furious Portland Fire rally and escaped with a hard-fought 105-100 victory in a back-and-forth WNBA showdown at the Moda Center. The game was as close as the final score suggests, with 15 lead changes and nine ties before Washington's late-game composure proved decisive.
Game Overview: Offense Reigns Early
Both teams came out firing, combining for 58 points in the first quarter. Portland’s up-tempo attack found early success in transition, while Washington countered with crisp ball movement and hot shooting from beyond the arc. The Mystics led narrowly after the first 10 minutes, but the Fire answered with an 11-2 run in the second quarter to take a 52-49 edge into halftime.
Key Moments: Fourth Quarter Execution
The third quarter saw the Mystics flex their defensive muscles, holding Portland to just 22 points and pushing the lead to eight. But the Fire, playing in front of a vocal home crowd, stormed back in the fourth. A 9-0 spurt capped by a step-back three from Portland's backcourt tied the game at 95 with 2:31 remaining.
Washington then turned to its veteran leader, who calmly knocked down a mid-range jumper, followed by a crucial steal-and-score to put the Mystics up four. Portland had a chance to tie in the final seconds, but a contested three-pointer rimmed out, and the Mystics sealed the win at the free-throw line.
Standout Players
- Washington Mystics: The Mystics' All-Star guard delivered a game-high 31 points, including 12 in the fourth quarter, and added 7 assists and 5 rebounds. The frontcourt contributed with a double-double, controlling the glass in the decisive stretch.
- Portland Fire: Portland’s leading scorer poured in 27 points on 63% shooting, while the team’s playmaker dished out 12 assists to keep the offense flowing. A defensive stalwart also finished with 4 blocks, anchoring the paint.
Tactical Story: Three-Point Shooting and Pace
Washington’s ability to win the three-point battle was the difference. The Mystics shot 14-for-30 (46.7%) from deep, compared to Portland's 10-for-27. More importantly, Washington forced 16 Portland turnovers and turned them into 21 points. The Fire’s high-possession style created plenty of opportunities, but their late-game execution faltered under Washington’s switched-up pick-and-roll coverage.
Season Impact
The win strengthens Washington’s position in the upper tier of the WNBA standings, improving their road record and providing momentum as the playoff race intensifies. For Portland, the narrow loss is a missed opportunity to climb the standings, though the Fire showed they can compete with the league's best on any given night.
With the season reaching its critical stretch, both teams will look to build on this performance — Washington for its championship aspirations, and Portland for playoff positioning.

