Image Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

2025 WNBA Playoffs Picture: How Valkyries’ Win Over Fever Changed the Playoff Scenarios?

Golden State’s win shakes up standings

Image Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

The Indiana Fever’s late-season surge was halted on Sunday night, as they fell 75-63 to the Golden State Valkyries in San Francisco. Playing without Caitlin Clark for the 18th straight game, Indiana struggled to keep pace.

Kelsey Mitchell led the Fever with 14 points and three assists, but it wasn’t enough to counter Iliana Rupert, who scored 21 points for the Golden State. The result carried more weight.

With the regular season winding down, the WNBA Playoffs picture shifted significantly after the Fever’s defeat. The Golden State Valkyries jumped ahead in the standings, and Indiana dropped from sixth to eighth. Seattle also moved past them, tightening the race further.

FINAL IN THE BAY 🚨

The @valkyries picked up their third straight win, defeating the Fever 75-63, and improved to 7-3 over their last 10 games. With the victory, Golden State moves into 6th place in the standings!

Iliana Rupert: 21 PTS | 5 3PM (career-high in points)
Janelle… pic.twitter.com/KFhkmZz6xg
— WNBA (@WNBA) September 1, 2025

The defending champion New York Liberty were among the teams affected most by Sunday’s outcomes. Sitting fifth at 24-16, Sabrina Ionescu and her teammates had a chance to clinch a playoff spot. Two scenarios could have secured their berth.

Either a Los Angeles Sparks loss to the Washington Mystics, or a Golden State defeat to Indiana. Neither happened as Los Angeles edged Washington 81-78, and Golden State overpowered the Fever, delaying New York’s qualification.

Liberty Forced To Wait, Fever Slip to Eighth As Playoff Race Tightens

Despite the setback, the Liberty remains in a strong position. A single victory will secure their WNBA playoffs place, and they control their destiny. The next challenge is no small task as New York faces the Valkyries on Tuesday in what could be a playoff-level atmosphere.

For Indiana, the path is less comfortable. At 21-19, the Fever now holds the final postseason spot but face pressure from the Sparks, who sit just behind at 18-20. Los Angeles holds the 4-0 head-to-head tiebreaker, giving them a critical advantage should the two teams finish level.

The Fever still controls their playoff fate but cannot afford further missteps. Their West Coast swing continues on Monday against the Seattle Storm, a game that could prove decisive in keeping hold of a postseason berth.

Following Sunday’s results, the updated standings are:

Minnesota Lynx: 31-8 (qualified)

Las Vegas Aces: 26-14 (qualified)

Atlanta Dream: 25-14 (qualified)

Phoenix Mercury: 25-14 (qualified)

New York Liberty: 24-16

Golden State Valkyries: 21-18

Seattle Storm: 22-19

Indiana Fever: 21-19

Los Angeles Sparks: 18-20

Meanwhile, the Washington Mystics, Connecticut Sun, Chicago Sky and Dallas Wings are already out of contention.