Honestly, if you were looking for a casual afternoon of basketball on Sunday, September 28, 2025, you probably ended up with a heart rate in the triple digits instead. This wasn't just another day on the calendar. It was Game 4 of the WNBA Semifinals, the point where "mathematically possible" turns into "do or die." The league had already been buzzing all year thanks to the expansion of the schedule to 44 games and the arrival of the Golden State Valkyries, but by late September, the focus had narrowed down to four heavyweights fighting for a spot in the first-ever best-of-seven Finals.
The WNBA games schedule September 28 2025 featured two massive matchups that essentially determined the trajectory of the championship. We had the Indiana Fever trying to stay alive against the Las Vegas Aces, and the Phoenix Mercury looking to close the door on the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx.
The Fever Forced a Game 5 in Indy
The atmosphere at Gainbridge Fieldhouse was, frankly, ridiculous. Everyone knew what was at stake. The Aces were leading the series 2-1 and looking to punch their ticket to the Finals to defend their crown. But Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell had different plans.
Indiana took this one 90-83. It wasn't always pretty, but it was effective.
Kelsey Mitchell has been on a tear, but this game was really about the Fever's resilience. They were "banged up," as the reports said throughout the week, yet they managed to out-hustle a Vegas team that has A’ja Wilson. Think about that for a second. Wilson put up 31 points. Usually, when A’ja gets 30, the game is over. Not this time. Indiana’s ball movement was just a little sharper, and their bench actually showed up when it mattered.
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This win tied the series at 2-2. It meant the whole circus had to pack up and head back to Las Vegas for a winner-take-all Game 5. For Fever fans, this was the peak of a resurgence nobody quite expected to happen this fast.
Phoenix Mercury Shuts the Door on Minnesota
While Indy was celebrating, the Minnesota Lynx were having a much rougher night in the desert. The Mercury took Game 4 with an 86-81 win at the Footprint Center.
This was the end of the line for the Lynx.
Coming into the WNBA games schedule September 28 2025, Minnesota was the No. 1 seed. They had the MVP finalist in Napheesa Collier. They had the best defense in the league during the regular season. But Phoenix is a different beast in the playoffs, especially with Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner playing like they’ve found a fountain of youth.
- Key Stat: Kahleah Copper and Kayla McBride traded buckets all night.
- The Difference: Phoenix forced 18 turnovers.
- The Result: Mercury won the series 3-1.
It's sorta wild to think that the top seed went down in four games, but that's the parity we're seeing now. The Mercury’s offensive rating at home is significantly higher than on the road, and they used every bit of that home-court energy to stifle the Lynx's rhythm.
Why This Day Mattered for the History Books
We have to talk about the context. 2025 was a year of "firsts."
It was the first time we saw the 1-1-1 format in the opening round, which changed how teams managed travel fatigue. By the time we hit September 28, the players were feeling the weight of that expanded 44-game regular season.
A lot of experts, including folks over at DraftKings, had the Lynx as the heavy favorites to win it all (-140 at the start of the semis). Seeing them get knocked out on this specific Sunday was a massive shift in the betting landscape. It basically cleared the path for the Aces—if they could get past the Fever—to potentially three-peat.
The Valkyries Factor
Even though they weren't playing on the 28th, the shadow of the Golden State Valkyries hung over the postseason. They made history by becoming the first expansion team to clinch a playoff berth in their inaugural season. They actually gave the Lynx a huge scare in the first round before falling 2-0.
Seeing the team that beat the Valkyries (Minnesota) then lose to the Mercury just shows how deep the talent pool has become. You’ve got rookies like Janelle Salaün and veterans like Veronica Burton proving that the gap between the "elite" and the "newbies" is closing faster than anyone anticipated.
TV Ratings and the "Caitlin Effect"
Let's be real. Part of why the WNBA games schedule September 28 2025 was such a big deal was the broadcast slots. We had games on ABC and ESPN back-to-back. The "Caitlin Clark effect" from the previous year had fully transitioned into a "WNBA effect" where people were tuning in for the matchups, not just the individual stars.
The Fever vs. Aces game at 3:00 PM ET on ABC reportedly drew massive numbers. It’s a testament to how the league has grown that a Sunday afternoon in the middle of NFL season can still command that much attention.
What You Should Do Next
If you're following the league's trajectory, the drama didn't stop on the 28th. Since the Mercury already advanced, they earned a few extra days of rest while the Aces and Fever had to battle it out in that Game 5 on September 30.
To really understand the tactical side of how Phoenix pulled off the upset, you should go back and watch the third-quarter film of Game 4. The way they switched their defensive coverage on Collier was a masterclass in playoff adjustments. Also, keep an eye on the injury reports for the Finals; that extra rest for the Mercury ended up being a huge factor in how they matched up against the eventual winner of the Vegas/Indy series.
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If you're looking to grab tickets for the next season or want to see the full breakdown of the 2025 Finals, head over to the official WNBA app. The league's move to a best-of-seven Finals format starting in 2025 means there's more basketball to track than ever before.