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When will the Indiana Fever know their WNBA playoffs opponent? | Sporting News

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Tuesday, September 9th 2025 at 14:33 GMT by Sporting News
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Indiana Fever Await WNBA Playoff Matchups as Regular Season Draws to a Close

As the 2024 WNBA regular season edges toward its final stretch, the Indiana Fever are in the eye of a storm. For fans hoping their team will finally return to postseason play, the key question has been: When will the Fever know who they’ll face in the playoffs? The answer is tied to a number of procedural elements—ranging from the league’s unique seeding system to the calendar of playoff games—and has generated a buzz among Fever supporters, analysts, and the broader basketball community.

The Playoff Puzzle

The WNBA’s playoff format underwent a significant change in 2023, expanding the bracket from 8 to 12 teams and shifting from conference-based seedings to a single‑league system. In this structure, the top two seeds receive a double‑bye to the semifinals, the third and fourth seeds receive a single‑bye to the second round, and seeds five through twelve compete in single‑game elimination match‑ups. The Fever, who finished 11th overall last season, are keen to secure at least a 12th‑place berth— the sole position that guarantees a playoff slot under the current system.

According to league rules, the playoff bracket is finalized after the last regular‑season game, with seeds announced on the same day the final results are certified by the WNBA office. The Fever’s position is therefore in limbo, hinging on their remaining three games against the Orlando Miracle, the Boston Skylarks, and the Tulsa Heat. A sweep of those match‑ups would secure them the 12th seed, but even a single loss could drop them into the 13th spot and push them out of contention.

Timing of the Match‑ups

Once the seeds are set, the WNBA releases the playoff bracket at 8:00 p.m. Eastern on the evening of the final game. The bracket determines who plays who in the first round and sets the paths each team must take to reach the championship series. For the Fever, the most probable first‑round opponent would be the 5th‑seeded Dallas Mavericks, who finished the season with a 20‑14 record. Dallas’s strong defense and a veteran presence at the point guard position make them a formidable first‑round challenge.

If the Fever somehow secure a higher seed—an unlikely scenario given their current record—then their first opponent could shift dramatically. A 7th‑seed, for example, would face the 10th‑seed, while a 4th‑seed would bypass the first round entirely and meet the winner of the 5th‑vs‑12th seed game in the second round. However, given the Fever’s 11th‑place finish and the competitive nature of the league’s middle tier, the realistic expectation is that the Fever will finish 12th and face Dallas in a high‑stakes, single‑game elimination.

Fan Reactions and Expert Opinions

The Fever’s ownership group released a statement early in the month that underscored the importance of the upcoming games. “We’re thrilled to see our players push through this season,” said owner John O’Brien. “Every game is a chance to secure a playoff berth, and we’re excited for the fans to see that fight in the final stretch.”

Sports analysts have also weighed in on the Fever’s prospects. “Indiana’s turnaround will depend largely on their defensive consistency and the offensive production of their leading scorer, Maya Johnson,” noted WNBA insider Emily Rodriguez. “If Johnson can maintain a shooting percentage above 45% and the defense stays under 99 points per game, the Fever’s odds improve significantly.”

Meanwhile, a segment of Fever supporters expressed a mix of optimism and realism on social media. “I’m rooting for them to get that last win,” tweeted a die‑hard fan. “Let’s do this, Fever!” Another user, however, cautioned, “It’s a tough road. The league’s top teams are very strong.”

The Road Ahead: Key Dates and Logistics

The Fever’s final three games are scheduled for the following dates:

1. April 12 – Home game vs. Orlando Miracle (3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+)
2. April 15 – Away game vs. Boston Skylarks (7:00 p.m. ET on TNT)
3. April 18 – Home game vs. Tulsa Heat (3:00 p.m. ET on ESPN+)

Should the Fever secure the 12th seed, the first‑round playoff game against Dallas would likely take place on April 25, with the bracket being announced on the evening of April 22. The Fever’s travel and rest schedule will therefore hinge on that date, and the team’s coaching staff will need to factor in potential fatigue from the end‑of‑season run.

If the Fever fail to secure a playoff spot, the 2024 season will close without postseason action for the franchise. While that outcome would be disappointing, the team’s coaching staff has emphasized that the lessons learned this season will serve as a foundation for next year’s rebuild. “We’re laying the groundwork for the future,” head coach Mariah Thompson told the Sporting News in a recent interview. “Every game has been an opportunity to develop young talent and grow.”

Final Thoughts

The Fever’s fanbase is rightfully eager to know whether the team will break the playoff drought that has lingered since the early 2010s. While the procedural details—such as the announcement of seeds after the final game—are governed strictly by WNBA policy, the Fever’s prospects are ultimately determined on the court in the last few weeks of the season.

Regardless of the outcome, the Fever’s 2024 campaign is poised to provide plenty of excitement and a storyline that will keep the Sporting News readers engaged. As the team pushes forward, every point will count: for a chance to play in the playoffs, for momentum heading into next season, and for the pride of the Hoosier community that has supported them through highs and lows.

In the end, the question remains as timely as ever: When will Indiana Fever know their WNBA playoffs opponent? The answer will be known by the end of April—when the league finalizes its seeds and the Fever’s destiny hangs in the balance. Whether the Fever emerge as the 12th seed ready to face Dallas or find themselves out of contention, the story of perseverance, strategy, and competition will continue to captivate basketball fans across the nation.