The race to the 2025 WNBA playoffs is reaching a fever pitch, and the Indiana Fever find themselves in the thick of the action as the regular season barrels toward its dramatic conclusion. With less than a week remaining in the regular season, the playoff picture is nearly set, but the final seeds—and the fates of several teams—are still very much up for grabs. For Fever fans and WNBA followers alike, the storylines are as compelling as ever, with historical milestones, exciting comebacks, and new faces all shaping the narrative.
On September 2, 2025, the New York Liberty became the latest team to clinch a postseason berth, despite dropping a tough matchup to the Golden State Valkyries. The Valkyries, meanwhile, are on the verge of making WNBA history as the league's first expansion team to reach the playoffs in their inaugural season. But it was a rough night for the Indiana Fever, who fell to the Phoenix Mercury by a score of 85-79, slipping to eighth place in the standings and adding more urgency to their final stretch.
The current standings as of September 3 tell a story of dominance, resilience, and a few surprises. The Minnesota Lynx have been the class of the league, clinching the No. 1 overall seed with a franchise-record 32-8 mark. Their recent blowout win over the Connecticut Sun not only secured home-court advantage throughout the postseason but also set a new high-water mark for wins in a single season for the franchise—31 and counting. With four games left, the Lynx could even challenge the 2023 Las Vegas Aces' league record of 34 victories in a season.
Behind the Lynx, a three-way tie for second place has developed among the Las Vegas Aces, Atlanta Dream, and Phoenix Mercury, each sitting at 26-14. The race for the No. 2 seed is neck-and-neck and could come down to the wire. The Liberty, despite clinching a playoff spot, have lost seven of their last eleven contests and sit at 24-17, now closer to the sixth seed than to the top four. The Valkyries, at 22-18, are just a step behind, while the Seattle Storm (22-20) and Indiana Fever (21-20) round out the current playoff field. On the outside looking in, the Los Angeles Sparks (19-20) are just one game back of the Fever and 1.5 behind the Storm, holding crucial tiebreakers over both teams—a fact that could prove decisive in the coming days.
For the Fever, the 2025 campaign has been a roller coaster. After an electrifying 2024 season, expectations were sky-high with the return of superstar guard Caitlin Clark for her sophomore year. Clark, alongside Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell, forms the team's dynamic "Big Three." The offseason saw further reinforcements with the arrivals of DeWanna Bonner, Sophie Cunningham, and Natasha Howard, adding depth and experience to a roster hungry for postseason success. The team also welcomed back Stephanie White as head coach, who previously led the Fever in 2015 and 2016 and brings a wealth of knowledge from her recent stint with the Connecticut Sun.
The Fever opened their season with a bang, dominating the Chicago Sky 93-58 at home on May 17. Over the course of their grueling 44-game schedule, Indiana faced off against every major contender, including the Liberty, Lynx, Aces, and Dream. Their journey has been marked by thrilling victories and tough losses, with a particularly challenging stretch in late August and early September. The Fever dropped a 75-63 decision to the Valkyries on August 31 before falling to the Mercury on September 2. That defeat, in particular, stung—not only did it drop Indiana to eighth in the standings, but it also tightened the race for the final playoff spots.
Despite the setbacks, the Fever have been one of the league's most visible teams, with a WNBA-record 41 of their 44 games broadcast nationally on outlets like ABC, ESPN, NBA TV, CBS, and streaming platforms including Fubo and Prime. Fans have flocked to see the team in person as well, with tickets available for every game via StubHub, underscoring the Fever's growing popularity and the league's surging profile.
Head coach Stephanie White has praised her team's resilience and focus, especially during the season's toughest moments. "This group never backs down from a challenge," White remarked after a recent hard-fought win. "We've had our ups and downs, but the belief in the locker room is strong. We're going to keep fighting for every possession, every game."
Caitlin Clark, the face of the franchise and one of the league's brightest young stars, has continued to dazzle fans and opponents alike. Her playmaking, scoring, and leadership have kept the Fever competitive even as the pressure mounts. Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell have been equally vital, providing consistent scoring and defensive intensity. The addition of veterans like Bonner, Cunningham, and Howard has given Indiana the kind of depth that could make them a dangerous out in the playoffs—if they can secure their spot.
Looking ahead, the Fever's regular season will conclude on September 9 against the top-seeded Lynx, a matchup that could have major playoff implications. The WNBA playoffs begin on September 14, with the first round set as a best-of-three series. The semifinals expand to best-of-five, and the Finals—now a best-of-seven—could run as late as October 19. For the Fever, every game from here on out is do-or-die. The Sparks, just a game behind and holding those key tiebreakers, are breathing down their necks. A massive matchup looms between the Atlanta Dream and the Sparks, with ripple effects that could shake up the entire bracket.
Meanwhile, the Golden State Valkyries are on the verge of a historic achievement. With a 2.5-game cushion over the Sparks and the tiebreaker in hand, they're poised to become the first expansion team ever to make the WNBA playoffs in their debut season. The Storm, Fever, and Sparks, however, all face uncertain futures as the regular season winds down.
As the dust settles and the playoff field comes into focus, fans can expect a wild finish to the 2025 WNBA regular season. The Fever, led by Clark, Boston, Mitchell, and a battle-tested supporting cast, will need to summon every ounce of grit and determination to secure their postseason fate. With history on the line and every possession counting, the stage is set for a thrilling final act.
Whatever happens next, one thing's for sure: the WNBA's 2025 playoff chase is delivering drama, excitement, and unforgettable moments right up to the very end.
