Seattle Storm Clinch Final WNBA Playoff Spot with Comeback Win over Valkyries

The Seattle Storm clinched the final spot in the 2025 WNBA playoffs with a dramatic comeback win over the Golden State Valkyries, 74-73, securing the No. 8 seed to face the No. 1 seed Minnesota Lynx. Erica Wheeler was instrumental in the victory, scoring a team-high 17 points, including the game-winning jumper with under 20 seconds left, and hitting five 3-pointers to fuel the Storm's rally from a double-digit deficit. The Storm needed either a win or a Los Angeles Sparks loss to secure the playoff berth; although Sparks won their game against the Phoenix Mercury, Seattle prevailed in their own contest to clinch the spot outright. This win eliminated the Sparks from playoff contention and set up a first-round series beginning Sunday between the Storm and the Lynx. The Storm finished the regular season with a record just above .500, ranking eighth overall, while the Valkyries became the first expansion team to make the playoffs in their inaugural season. The victory underscored the Storm's resilience and highlighted the crucial late-season battle for playoff positioning in the WNBA.