The Indiana Fever managed to beat back the Seattle Storm 95-75 Tuesday night, a win that moves the team closer toward the playoffs but doesn't yet guarantee them a spot. The Fever will have to maintain a .500 winning percentage to cement their playoff status, which means they have to win two more games.
In theory, this should be doable: the team will next face the Sparks on Friday, August 29, and the Valkyries on Sunday, August 31. But in reality, both teams have proven to more than capable of giving the Fever problems — and both teams are also battling for their own spot in playoffs this season.
Tuesday's game was a reminder of what the Fever does best: Aliyah Boston, Odyssey Sims, and Kelsey Mitchell racked up 27 points, 22 points, and 21 points respectively. Lexie Hull, who exited to game early due to a potential concussion after she and Gabby Williams collided, contributed a crucial 3-pointer when called upon.
(Sims notably hit a 3-pointer from the "Caitlin Clark range" — and was just as delighted as everyone in the stands.)
But the next two games aren't going to be easy. The Sparks beat the Fever 100-91 in August 5 (in a game played in Los Angeles) and 85-75 on June 26 (in a game played at Gainbridge Fieldhouse). Curiously, due to ongoing injuries and players coming and going, this Fever is yet again a new team that the Sparks hasn't encountered, which is something the Fever may be able to use to their advantage.
The win pushes the Fever back up into the No. 6 overall spot in league standings, but the race is extremely tight. Indiana is trailed by the Valkyries (.514) and the Storm (.513), and a loss combined with a win by either team will be enough to take them right back down.
The Valkyries could pull off a major feat
Golden State has an interesting schedule coming up: the team, who beat the Wings 90-81 Sunday, will first host the Mystics in San Francisco on Saturday, August 30, just before the Fever come rolling in. They will then host the Liberty September 2, and the wings September 4.
If the Valkyries have proven anything this season, it's that they are capable of everything imaginable. When Golden State is on fire, the wins come with an ease that's remarkable for a team that's still so new to the league.