Magbegor helps Seattle Storm into WNBA Playoffs

• The Seattle Storm beat the Golden State Valkyries 74-73 to secure a playoffs position
• Seattle and Ezi Magbegor will face Alanna Smith and the Minnesota Lynx in the first round
• Magbegor and Smith both finished in the top three in the WNBA for blocks per game

Australian Opals star Ezi Magbegor and the Seattle Storm have booked their spot in the WNBA Playoffs after a fourth-quarter comeback helped them secure a 74-73 win over the Golden State Valkyries as well as the eighth and final postseason berth.

Magbegor, who is tied for the league leader in blocks per game with 2.2, had another three rejections along with nine rebounds and six points in 26 minutes as the Storm recorded their 23rd win of the season to stay out of reach of the Los Angeles Sparks.

She also came up with two crucial defensive plays in the final seconds to lead Seattle to victory, including contesting a Janella Salaun driving layup attempt and a three-point shot, with the Valkyries star missing both.

Golden State started strong, taking an 18-12 lead in the first quarter behind Salaun's efficient shooting. Seattle fought back in the second period, outscoring the Valkyries 21-18 to narrow the deficit to 36-33 at halftime.

The Valkyries showed renewed energy in the third quarter, outpacing the Storm 25-20 to build a 61-53 advantage heading into the final period. However, Seattle mounted a determined comeback in the fourth, outscoring Golden State 21-12 to snatch the victory by a single point.

Erica Wheeler proved to be the difference-maker for Seattle, connecting on five of her seven three-point attempts for 17 points off the bench. Her shooting efficiency from deep (71.4%) provided the spark the Storm needed when trailing late in the game.

For the Valkyries, Janelle Salaun delivered an outstanding performance with 22 points on 8-from-13 shooting, including an impressive 5-from-7 from beyond the arc. Temi Fagbenle added 14 points, six rebounds, and three blocks in the losing effort.

The game was evenly matched statistically, with both teams shooting around 40% from the field. Seattle had a slight edge on the boards (37-35) and in blocked shots (7-4), while Golden State forced more turnovers with nine steals to Seattle's four. The Storm's bench production proved crucial, with Wheeler's 17 points helping Seattle overcome a balanced Valkyries attack that saw four starters score in double figures.

The victory earns Seattle a match-up with the first-placed Minnesota Lynx and Magbegor a face-off with fellow Opals frontcourt partner Alanna Smith, who was third in the league for blocks per game at 1.9.

Seattle will be looking to improve on their first-round exit from last season after losing to the Las Vegas Aces 2-0, while Minnesota will be hellbent on avenging their controversial loss to the New York Liberty in the 2024 WNBA Finals.

Sami Whitcomb's Phoenix Mercury, Sandy Brondello and the Liberty as well as Chloe Bibby and the Indiana Fever will also feature in the WNBA Playoffs.

This season will be the first time the WNBA Finals will be a best-of-seven series.