2025 WNBA playoffs: Storm clinch ultimate spot with dramatic comeback win over Valkyries

The sector for the 2025 WNBA playoffs is ready after the Seattle Storm clinched the ultimate spot on Tuesday with a dramatic comeback win over the Golden State Valkyries, 74-73. The Storm would be the No. 8 seed and face the No. 1 seed Minnesota Lynx within the first spherical. 

The Storm entered Tuesday needing a win or a Los Angeles Sparks loss to clinch a playoff berth. The Sparks ended up beating the Phoenix Mercury on the street, which meant the Storm needed to discover a option to beat the Valkyries, and that is simply what they did due to Erica Wheeler. 

On an evening when the Storm had been as soon as once more struggling offensively, Wheeler got here off the bench to ship a significant power increase and scoring. She hit two enormous 3-pointers early within the fourth quarter to key the Storm’s comeback from what had been a double-digit deficit late within the third. Then, with just below 20 seconds to play, she drained the game-winning jumper. 

Wheeler tied her season-high with 5 3-pointers and completed with a team-high 17 factors, 5 rebounds and two assists. She was 5 of seven from behind the arc, whereas the remainder of the Storm had been 2 of 10. 

“We knew what was at stake. We wished to get within the playoffs,” Wheeler stated. “Coach stated ’empty the tank,’ and that is what we did. We emptied the tank and performed till the final minute. It is not about my final shot, it is a crew effort and we simply did what we would have liked to do to get this win.” 

Recreation 1 of the Storm’s first-round collection with the Lynx is ready for Sunday, with a tip-off time to be decided. 

Storm way more proficient than typical No. 8 seed

This would be the second consecutive playoff look for the Storm, who had been swept within the first spherical final season by the Las Vegas Aces. 

Heading into the season, the Storm would have hoped to be close to the highest of the standings, and probably even within the combine with the Lynx as a title contender. Certainly, they obtained off to a 9-5 begin, and had been 16-11 because the calendar flipped to August, which had them simply half a sport again of third place. They then misplaced six video games in a row by a mixed 27 factors and spent the remainder of the season combating simply to make the playoffs. 

Whereas the Storm shall be underdogs towards the Lynx, who’re the favorites to win all of it (+105 at FanDuel), they’re way more proficient than a typical No. 8 seed and have performed Napheesa Collier and firm powerful this season. The groups cut up their 4 conferences, and three of these video games had been determined by 5 factors or fewer. 

It doesn’t matter what occurs within the first spherical, it was vital for the Storm to make the playoffs this season, no matter their seed. That they knocked the Sparks out within the course of was even higher. 

The Storm personal the Sparks’ 2026 first-round decide and at the moment are ensured a lottery choice in what’s projected to be a loaded draft class. Moreover, the Storm traded their very own 2026 first-round decide to the Washington Mystics as a part of the Brittney Sykes commerce and now should not have to surrender a lottery decide.