What Happened Between the Lynx and the Fever?
The Minnesota Lynx clinched the No. 1 seed in the 2026 WNBA playoffs Tuesday night with a road win over the Indiana Fever in Indianapolis. That’s why searches for “Lynx vs. Fever,” “Indiana Fever vs. Minnesota Lynx,” and related terms spiked right after the final buzzer.
Minnesota came into the game at 32-10, the best record in the league, sitting one game ahead of the Golden State Valkyries. A win locked up the top seed outright, since the Lynx already held the tiebreaker over Golden State after taking three of four meetings this season.
Why Did This Game Matter So Much?
This wasn’t just another regular-season game. It was the second-to-last game of the year for both teams, and the stakes were as high as they get outside the playoffs.
A Lynx win meant home-court advantage through the entire postseason. For Indiana, the game carried its own weight. The Fever had fallen to fifth place and needed wins over Minnesota in both of their final two meetings just to have a shot at climbing back into fourth and grabbing home court in the first round.
Indiana walked into Tuesday’s game coming off a rough 93-77 home loss to the Washington Mystics, a result that snapped a three-game winning streak. Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell combined for 47 points in that loss, but it still ranked as one of Indiana’s lowest-scoring games of the season.
What’s Next for Both Teams?
The Lynx and Fever aren’t done with each other yet. They meet again Thursday in Minneapolis to close out the regular season — this time with Minnesota’s seeding already locked in, but Indiana still fighting for playoff positioning.
Minnesota also has a note of unfinished business. The Lynx claimed the league’s best overall record last season, too, but lost in the playoff semifinals to the Phoenix Mercury. Locking up the top seed again puts them in a strong position, but it doesn’t guarantee anything once the postseason starts.
What You Should Know
• This was Minnesota’s second straight season atop the standings, but the deep playoff run they’re chasing has eluded them the past two years.
• Home court doesn’t decide series, so Indiana and other playoff teams still have a path, even after Tuesday’s result.
• Thursday’s rematch in Minneapolis is largely academic for seeding purposes, since Minnesota’s spot is already secured, but it still counts toward final regular-season records heading into the playoffs.
• Indiana’s playoff seeding is still in motion. The Fever need results to fall their way, including their own performance and help from other teams, to move up from their current spot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did the Lynx clinch the No. 1 seed this week?
Yes. Minnesota locked up the top seed in the WNBA playoffs with Tuesday’s win over Indiana.
Do the Lynx and Fever play again this season?
Yes. The two teams meet once more Thursday in Minneapolis to close out the regular season.
What was Minnesota’s record heading into Tuesday’s game?
The Lynx were 32-10, the best mark in the league, before facing Indiana.
Is Indiana still in playoff contention for a better seed?
Yes. The Fever are fighting to move up from fifth place, though they’ll need wins and help from other results to do it.
Did the Lynx make the playoffs last year too?
Yes. Minnesota had the league’s best record last season as well but was eliminated by the Phoenix Mercury in the semifinals.
Where did Tuesday’s game take place?
At Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana’s home arena.
The Bottom Line
The Lynx’s win over the Fever settled one of the last big questions of the WNBA regular season: who gets the No. 1 seed and home court through the playoffs. Minnesota answered that question Tuesday night. Indiana’s playoff seeding, meanwhile, is still being sorted out, with Thursday’s rematch and other results around the league still to play out.