WNBA playoff stakes rise for Fever, Sparks, Valkyries, and Mystics
USAT’s Meghan Hall breaks down why she believes these WNBA teams missing the playoffs will be a disappointment to fans.
Sports Seriously
The Indiana Fever head to the Valley on Tuesday with their backs against the wall.
The Fever (21-19) slipped from sixth place to seventh place in the 2025 WNBA standings following a 75-63 loss to the Golden State Valkyries on Sunday. And their schedule isn’t getting any easier.
The surging Phoenix Mercury (25-14), 14-6 at home this season, host the Fever on Tuesday at PHX Arena. The Mercury already clinched a playoff berth, but Phoenix will be extra motivated in Tuesday’s matchup as they fight to secure homecourt advantage in the first round of the postseason.
The Minnesota Lynx (No. 1 overall seed), Las Vegas Aces and Atlanta Dream have also claimed playoff spots. The Fever are among five teams vying for the final four playoff berths with four games remaining in the season. Indiana, who currently has a two-game lead over the ninth-place Los Angeles Sparkswill likely be without All-Star guard Caitlin Clark due to a right groin injury that’s sidelined her since July 15.
WNBA PLAYOFF PICTURE: Who clinched a postseason berth? Who’s in, Who’s out?
Here’s everything you need to know about the Fever-Mercury’s matchup on Tuesday:
Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell knocked down a 25-foot 3-pointer with 26.6 seconds remaining in the first quarter to give the Fever a one-point lead. Mercury guard Sami Whitcomb answered right back with a three of her own to put Phoenix back up, 25-23.
Mitchell came out red-hot in the first quarter and scored 15 of the Fever’s 23 points, shooting 5-of-6 from the field and 3-of-4 from the 3-point line. Despite Mitchell’s first-quarter performance, the Fever find themselves down by two points heading into the second quarter.
Kahleah Copper has a team-high nine points, while Alyssa Thomas, the Western Conference Player of the Week, has eight points, four assists and three rebounds.
The Phoenix Mercury host the Indiana Fever at 10 p.m. ET (7 p.m. PT) on Tuesday, Sept. 2, at the PHX Arena in Phoenix. The game will be broadcast nationally on NBA TV.
Clark was ruled out of the Fever’s road matchup against the Mercury on Tuesday, marking her 19th consecutive absence with a right groin injury suffered on July 15. There’s no timetable for her return to the lineup.
Fever forward Chloe Bibby (left knee) will also be sidelined on Tuesday, in addition to guards Aari McDonald (broken right foot), Sydney Colson (left ACL tear) and Sophie Cunningham (right MCL tear)who all suffered season-ending injuries in August.
- Time: 10 pm and (7m pt)
- Location: PHX Arena (Phoenix)
- TV channel: NBA TV
- Streaming: Fubo (free trial to new subscribers)
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