WNBA Playoffs Deliver Thrilling First-Round Drama: Fever and Aces Survive Wild Game 3s
The first round of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs wrapped up with two of the most thrilling finishes in recent postseason memory. Underdog Indiana Fever stunned the Atlanta Dream on the road, while the defending champion Las Vegas Aces narrowly escaped elimination at the hands of the Seattle Storm. Each Game 3 came down to the wire — and each showcased the depth, resilience, and drama that the WNBA postseason is becoming known for.
Fever Shock Dream to Complete Stunning Upset
The Indiana Fever, decimated by injuries and written off by most, pulled off a stunning 87–85 win over the third-seeded Atlanta Dream. Entering Game 3 without stars Caitlin Clark, Aari McDonald, Sophie Cunningham, and Sydney Colson, Indiana had every excuse to fold. Instead, the remaining roster rose to the occasion.
Kelsey Mitchell led all scorers with 24 points, including a perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line. Aliyah Bostondelivered a commanding performance in the paint with 14 points and 12 rebounds, while Odyssey Sims added 16 points and 8 assists, serving as the steady floor general the Fever desperately needed.
Despite trailing by five with under three minutes remaining, Indiana clawed back with gritty defense and clutch execution. After a key Atlanta turnover, Boston scored on a tough finish to put Indiana ahead 87–85 with just 7.4 seconds left. The Dream had a chance to respond, but a final turnover sealed their fate and sent Indiana into the semifinals.
It’s a victory that will be remembered not just for the result, but for the odds the Fever overcame.
A’ja Wilson, Jackie Young Lift Aces Past Storm in Instant Classic
In Las Vegas, the defending champion Aces found themselves in an unfamiliar position: on the ropes against a hungry Seattle Storm squad. The Aces needed every ounce of resilience — and every point from A’ja Wilson, who delivered one of the greatest playoff performances in WNBA history.
Wilson poured in 38 points, accounting for more than half of Las Vegas’s total in a nail-biting 74–73 win. Seattle, led by strong late-game execution and a key three-pointer from Skylar Diggins-Smith, briefly held the lead with just over a minute remaining.
But in the game’s defining sequence, Wilson missed a go-ahead layup — only for Jackie Young to crash the boards, secure the rebound, and score what would become the game-winner with under 20 seconds left. Seattle had one last shot, but Erica Wheeler’s attempt rimmed out, and the Aces survived.
In a fittingly dramatic ending, the arena lights momentarily went out at the final buzzer — as if the electricity of the moment overwhelmed the building itself.
A New Era of Playoff Parity
If this first round is any indication, the days of top seeds coasting into the next round are over. Indiana’s win was a true upset, but even Las Vegas — stacked with talent and experience — barely escaped against a lower-seeded team. The line between contenders and challengers is thinner than ever.
With more Game 3s coming, including the matchup between the No. 4 Phoenix Mercury and No. 5 New York Liberty, the stage is set for even more playoff fireworks.
The 2025 WNBA Playoffs aren’t just about who’s best on paper — they’re about who delivers when it matters most.
