Iliana Rupert made five 3-pointers to finish with 21 points, and the Golden State Valkyries beat the Indiana Fever 75-63 on Sunday for a key win in the WNBA playoff race.

The Valkyries (21-18) shot 12 for 19 from 3-point range, with Janelle Salaun and Kate Martin each making three shots from deep and scoring 10 points apiece.

Golden State also got another stat-stuffing performance from Veronica Burton, who finished with eight points, seven rebounds and 13 assists.

The victory vaulted the expansion Valkyries into a tie with the Seattle Storm for sixth place in the playoff race and 2 ½ games above the ninth-place Los Angeles Sparks (18-20).

Indiana (21-19), who continue to play without Caitlin Clark due to a groin injury, were ice-cold on offence, shooting 33.3 percent from the floor and 20.0 percent from 3-point range.

Aerial Powers had a team-high 17 points for the Fever off the bench, going 6 of 13 from the field in 19 minutes.

A Ballhalla career night 21 points (career high), 5 triples (tied career high), 4 rebounds. @Iliana_rups put on a show — with her mom front row to witness it. pic.twitter.com/lXDKZOGZZW

— Golden State Valkyries (@valkyries) September 1, 2025

Hamby, Plum lift Sparks over Mystics

Kelsey Plum scored 14 of her 18 in the fourth quarter, Dearica Hamby finished with 20 points and 12 rebounds, and the Los Angeles Sparks edged the Washington Mystics 81-78.

Plum, who added four rebounds and seven assists, was just 4 of 9 from the floor but made three 3-pointers and was 7 of 8 from the free-throw line.

Azura Stevens just missed a double-double with nine points and 12 rebounds for the Sparks (18-20), who are clinging to their playoff hopes.

Ninth-place Los Angeles is currently on the outside looking into the WNBA playoff picture, two games behind the eighth-seeded Indiana Fever.

The Mystics (16-25), who have already been mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, were led by 22 points and 13 rebounds by Kiki Iriafen.