It required an impressive fourth-quarter comeback and some final-second heroics from guard Erica Wheeler, but the Storm clinched the eighth and final playoff berth with a 74–73 win over the Valkyries on Tuesday night.
Entering the final frame down 61–53, Seattle dominated the final 10 minutes, outscoring Golden State 21–12. Even so, a three-pointer by Iliana Rupert put the Valkyries up 73–72 with just over 37 seconds remaining in the game. Nneka Ogwumike missed a layup on the ensuing possession, but corralled her own offensive rebound. The Storm reset, and ultimately it was Wheeler who called her own number, going iso against Veronica Burton and hitting a pull-up jumper from the foul line to give Seattle a one-point lead.
