Storm Rally Past Valkyries to Seal Playoff Spot
The WNBA playoff picture is now locked in, and it was sealed with a nail-biter in Seattle. On Tuesday night, the Storm managed to claw their way back against the Golden State Valkyries, pulling off a dramatic 76-73 win. That victory didn’t just add another tally in the win column—it officially booked Seattle’s ticket to the postseason. At the same time, it slammed the door on the Los Angeles Sparks, who will now watch the playoffs from home for the fifth straight year.
The Storm entered the night with the upper hand in the race for the final playoff spot. The math was simple: win and they’re in, or, even with a loss, hope the Sparks couldn’t keep pace. And although the Sparks pulled off a hard-fought win in Phoenix, it didn’t end up mattering. Seattle’s late surge kept control of their own destiny.
For much of the game, though, it looked shaky. The Valkyries, an expansion team making headlines in their first season, pushed the Storm to the limit. Seattle fell behind and opened the door for Los Angeles. But then came the fourth quarter, and with it, a burst of life. The Storm ripped off a 14-4 run that flipped the momentum, setting the stage for the closing moments. Erica Wheeler stepped up in the clutch, draining a smooth midrange jumper with less than 20 seconds left to give the Storm the lead for good.
Also Read:- Tusk Shuts Border with Belarus Amid Russian War Games
- Scoot Launches Big Sale for Indians to Travel Abroad
Golden State wasn’t done yet. In the final seconds, Janelle Salaun had two chances to snatch the game back—a layup and a three-pointer—but both attempts rattled out. Wheeler then secured the rebound, sealing the victory as the home crowd at Climate Pledge Arena erupted.
Meanwhile, just minutes before, the Sparks had wrapped up their own game with a win over the Mercury, fueled by Dearica Hamby’s 25 points and Rae Burrell’s career-high 20 off the bench. They even overcame another triple-double from Alyssa Thomas, her eighth of the season. But while that victory gave them hope, the outcome in Seattle snuffed it out immediately.
The playoff bracket is now fully set. The Minnesota Lynx hold the top seed after dominating the season with a 33-10 record, while the Las Vegas Aces and Atlanta Dream are still jostling for the No. 2 spot. Seattle, at 23-21, locked in the eighth and final seed, meaning they’ll face the powerhouse Lynx in the first round.
The opening round will be a best-of-three series, starting Sunday, September 14. From there, the semifinals expand to best-of-five, and for the first time, the WNBA Finals will stretch to a best-of-seven. For the Storm, it’s a chance to extend their season against the league’s best. For the Sparks, it’s another year of waiting.
One thing is certain: the drama of the final night showed just how thin the margin was, and how much every possession mattered. Seattle seized their moment, and now the playoffs await.
Read More:
0 Comments