Seattle Storm Secure 20th Playoff Appearance with 74-73 Win Over Valkyries
SEATTLE — The Seattle Storm clinched the eighth and final berth in the 2025 WNBA playoffs with a thrilling 74-73 victory against the Golden State Valkyries on Tuesday night. The win guarantees their return to postseason action this year, marking the franchise’s 20th playoff appearance.
The game was decided in a dramatic final sequence. Erica Wheeler led the Storm with 17 points, including a crucial go-ahead jumper with 18.5 seconds remaining. Despite several late opportunities for the Valkyries to steal the game, the Storm’s timely defensive stop preserved their narrow lead.
Nneka Ogwumike contributed 16 points and eight rebounds, while Brittney Sykes scored 14 points and Skylar Diggins added 10 points and six assists. Wheeler impressed with a 5-of-7 record on three-pointers, showing sharp shooting late in the contest.
For the Valkyries, an expansion team making their inaugural season playoff push, Janelle Salaun was the top scorer with 22 points and five three-pointers. Teammates Temi Fagbenle and Veronica Burton also made significant contributions, with Burton delivering 14 points along with 11 assists. Despite a strong performance and a mid-game 13-0 run that built a 60-50 lead, the Valkyries fell just short in the final minutes.
Playoff Picture and Standings
With this victory, the Storm secure the eighth seed with a 23-21 record. The Minnesota Lynx earned the top seed at 33-10, followed by the Las Vegas Aces and Atlanta Dream, both with 29-14 records. The Phoenix Mercury, New York Liberty, Golden State Valkyries, and Indiana Fever round out the playoff field.
The first round of the playoffs begins Sunday with a best-of-three series, featuring a 1-1-1 home-and-away format. The semifinals transition to a best-of-five structure, and for the first time in WNBA history, the Finals will be expanded to a best-of-seven series using a 2-2-1-1-1 format to enhance competitive balance.
Season Overview for the Storm
Despite a comparatively modest regular season record, the Storm boast a talented roster with four players named All-Stars this year: Ogwumike, Diggins, Sykes, and Gabby Williams, who also contended for Defensive Player of the Year honors. The No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 draft, Dominique Malonga, has shown steady development as the season progressed.
The team started strong with a 9-5 record and maintained playoff contention midseason at 16-11. However, a six-game losing streak in August put their postseason hopes at risk, fueling a fierce battle to clinch the final spot.
Looking Ahead
The Storm will enter the playoffs as underdogs but carry strong veteran leadership and depth into the postseason. Their experience and star power position them as a formidable opponent despite the lower seeding. The team’s success in clinching a spot, especially by defeating the Golden State Valkyries—a spirited expansion team that reached the playoffs in its first year—is a promising sign heading into September’s playoff battles.
As the regular season wraps up on Thursday, fans will watch closely as seeding finalizes. The Storm’s victory not only secures their immediate postseason future but also signals the resilience and potential of a franchise aiming to make a deeper run in 2025.