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Melbourne responds against Sandy's Liberty
Australian Jade Melbourne #5 of the Washington Mystics handles the ball against the New York Liberty during the second half at Carefirst Arena on June 6, 2025 in Washington, DC. Photo: Patrick Smith/Getty Images
Highlights
Liberty star Breanna Stewart has with 26 points, 11 rebounds double in 8th straight win
- Australian guard Jade Melbourne finishes +1 in 27 minutes against New York Liberty
- Opals head coach Sandy Brondello's Liberty is 8-0 to start their title defense
- How to watch every 2025 WNBA game in Australia
Australian point guard Jade Melbourne rebounded from an ice-cold 0-for against Indiana with a 6-from-8, 15-point performance against Opals coach Sandy Brondello's New York Liberty but it simply wasn't enough against the defending WNBA champions as the Washington Mystics lost 86-78 at Capital One Arena on Friday, June 6, 2025.
Breanna Stewart's 26-point, 11-rebound performance kept the 8-0 Liberty's unbeaten streak well and truly intact to start the season.
UC Capitals star Melbourne added two boards, four assists and a steal in 27 minutes off the bench for the 3-6 Mystics.
Key Details
- Result: New York Liberty 86 def. Washington Mystics 78
- When: June 6, 2025
- Where: Capital One Arena, Washington
- Standings: New York Liberty (#1) | Washington Mystics (#9)
By the Numbers
- Breanna Stewart (New York) starred with 26 points, 11 rebounds, one assist, one steal, and one block in 35 minutes.
- Kiki Iriafen (Washington) scored 17 points and had nine rebounds, and one assist in 18 minutes.
What Happened
The Mystics came out strong in the first quarter, outscoring the Liberty 22-17 behind rookie Kiki Iriafen's energetic start. However, New York responded with a dominant second quarter, outscoring Washington 32-12 to take a commanding 49-34 lead into halftime. The Liberty maintained their advantage through a balanced third quarter where both teams scored efficiently.
Washington mounted a spirited comeback attempt in the fourth quarter, outscoring New York 21-13, but the deficit proved too large to overcome. Jade Melbourne provided a spark off the bench for the Mystics, scoring 15 points including two three-pointers, but it wasn't enough to upset the undefeated Liberty.
Breanna Stewart was the difference-maker for New York, recording a double-double with 26 points and 11 rebounds while shooting efficiently at 8-from-16 from the field. Despite Sabrina Ionescu struggling with her shot (3-from-17), she still contributed 13 points, seven assists and two blocks. Kennedy Burke provided valuable scoring off the bench, hitting all four of her three-point attempts for 12 points.
The Liberty's defense forced 14 Washington turnovers, converting them into valuable transition opportunities. New York also showed superior execution from the free-throw line, shooting 80 percent (24-from-30) compared to Washington's 62.5 percent (15-from-24). This free-throw disparity proved crucial in maintaining their lead throughout the game.
With this victory, New York improved to 8-0, solidifying their position atop the WNBA standings as the league's only undefeated team. The Mystics dropped to 3-6, continuing their early-season struggles despite promising performances from rookies Iriafen (17 points, nine rebounds) and Melbourne (15 points).
