The Indiana Fever head to the Valley on Tuesday with their backs against the wall.

The Fever (21-19) slipped in the 2025 WNBA standings from sixth place to eighth, the final playoff spot, following a 75-63 loss to the Golden State Valkyries on Sunday. And their schedule isn’t getting any easier.

The surging Phoenix Mercury (25-14), 14-6 at home this season, host the Fever on Tuesday at PHX Arena. The Mercury already clinched a playoff berth, but Phoenix will be extra motivated in Tuesday’s matchup as they fight to secure homecourt advantage in the first round of the postseason.

The Minnesota Lynx (No. 1 overall seed), Las Vegas Aces and Atlanta Dream have also claimed playoff spots. The Fever are among five teams vying for the final four playoff berths with four games remaining in the season. Indiana, who currently has a two-game lead over the ninth-place Los Angeles Sparks, will likely be without All-Star guard Caitlin Clark due to a right groin injury that’s sidelined her since July 15.

WNBA PLAYOFF PICTURE: Who clinched a postseason berth? Who’s in, Who’s out?

Here’s everything you need to know about the Fever-Mercury’s matchup on Tuesday:

What time is Indiana Fever vs. Phoenix Mercury?

The Phoenix Mercury host the Indiana Fever at 10 p.m. ET (7 p.m. PT) on Tuesday, Sept. 2, at the PHX Arena in Phoenix. The game will be broadcast nationally on NBA TV.

How to watch Indiana Fever vs. Phoenix Mercury: TV, stream

Time: 10 p.m. ET (7 p.m. PT)
Location:  PHX Arena (Phoenix)
TV channel: NBA TV
Streaming: Fubo (free trial to new subscribers)

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September got here in a hurry, no? And for Major League Baseball teams, it’s going to evaporate even quicker.

With just 23 to 25 games left, it’s past time for teams to make a move, and with the calendar flipping and two extra roster spots available, a contender gasping for air isn’t above calling on a rookie for help. So welcome to Cincinnati, Sal Stewart, and say hello to Seattle, Harry Ford.

The top prospects arrived with the 28-man roster and in Stewart’s case, there was no time to wait around. He keyed a two-run rally with his first major league hit Sept. 1 and, even though the diamond is crowded in Cincy, he told reporters he’ll play ‘the batter’s box.’

Hey, the Reds will take any help they can get. A modest two-game winning streak – capped by a walk-off win over Toronto – ended a funk of eight losses in 10 games and kept them within four games of the Mets for the National League’s final wild-card berth. It also eased their fall in USA TODAY Sports’ power rankings, falling two spots to No. 15.

In Seattle, Ford, a catcher, is blocked in the traditional sense by the great Cal Raleigh, but after mastering Class AAA – 16 homers, an .868 OPS – his bat can only help the Mariners, who hope not to be Texas toast by the end of the year – they’re 1 ½ games up on the Rangers for the last playoff spot, and three back of Houston for the AL West lead.

A look at our updated rankings:

1. Milwaukee Brewers (-)

Have lost nine of their last 15. Just a blip, right?

2. Philadelphia Phillies (-)

Trea Turner shouldn’t be too far behind Kyle Schwarber on those NL MVP ballots.

3. Toronto Blue Jays (+1)

Bullpen ERA now a grim 4.12.

4. Detroit Tigers (-)

Have lost eight of their last 13 against teams currently holding a playoff spot.

5. Chicago Cubs (-)

Cade Horton should get a fair amount of Rookie of the Year love.

6. Los Angeles Dodgers (+1)

Tanner Scott, projected closer, has a 4.44 ERA.

7. Boston Red Sox (+1)

It would be nice to figure out the Nos. 4-5 rotation slots. But they can make a playoff run simply with their Big Three.

8. San Diego Padres (-2)

Jose Iglesias is the primary shortstop. They can only hope his Mets Magic lasts into this October, too.

9. New York Yankees (+2)

Jose Caballero becoming more appealing as steadier shortstop option.

10. Houston Astros (-1)

Luis Garcia posts a quality start (and a win) in first post-Tommy John outing.

11. New York Mets (+1)

Juan Soto: 36 home runs, .915 OPS, 5.1 WAR. This is why you don’t waste your breath in April.

12. Seattle Mariners (-2)

Their ‘major offensive addition’ of the off-season – Donovan Solano – doesn’t make it to September.

13. Kansas City Royals (+1)

Playoff drive slowed by Seth Lugo’s uncharacteristic inability to get through five innings.

14. Texas Rangers (+1)

How are these guys not 10 games out yet?

15. Cincinnati Reds (-2)

If there’s such a thing as Tito Magic, this is the time of year it arrives.

16. San Francisco Giants (+4)

Have homered in 15 consecutive games, which they haven’t done such Barry Bonds hit 73 in 2001.

17. Cleveland Guardians (-1)

Emmanuel Clase, Luis Ortiz remain in limbo.

18. Arizona Diamondbacks (-1)

Zac Gallen had 28 strikeouts, nine walks in August.

19. St. Louis Cardinals (-1)

Reliever Jorge Alcala – claimed from Boston – making strong impression.

20. Tampa Bay Rays (-1)

Braves take Ha-Seong Kim’s $16 million 2026 commitment off their hands – and open up shortstop for Carson Williams.

21. Los Angeles Angels (-)

Taylor Ward fortunate to emerge with minor injuries after slamming into scoreboard fence in Houston.

22. Miami Marlins (-)

They’re a .493 team on the road, .456 in front of sparse crowds in Miami.

23. Atlanta Braves (+1)

Austin Riley’s season officially over after move to 60-day IL.

24. Minnesota Twins (+1)

Byron Buxton (29 homers, 21 steals) has a shot at Twins’ first 30-30 season.

25. Athletics (+1)

Swept Tigers right out of Yolo County in best series win of year.

26. Baltimore Orioles (-2)

Jeremiah Jackson? He’s on a 33-for-97 heater as an Oriole.

27. Pittsburgh Pirates (-)

Isiah Kiner-Falefa (Blue Jays), Tim Mayza (Phillies) waived and picked up by better teams.

28. Washington Nationals (-)

Pretty neat: Battery of Andrew Alvarez, C.J. Stubbs debut on same day, help post shutout.

29. Chicago White Sox (-)

This Colson Montgomery homer thing getting crazy: He’s gone deep in consecutive games six times.

30. Colorado Rockies (-)

A 116-loss pace as end of nightmare season approaches

Cowboys QB Dak Prescott faces immense pressure to perform after signing a record-breaking contract and following the trade of star defender Micah Parsons.
The trade of Parsons adds pressure on Prescott to carry the team despite owner Jerry Jones’ insistence that Prescott is capable of leading the Cowboys to a Super Bowl victory.
Prescott admits he wasn’t completely surprised by the Parsons trade after contract negotiations became contentious.

Dak Prescott already has enough pressure. There’s the matter of the Dallas Cowboys quarterback delivering bang for the buck as the NFL’s first $60 million man. The challenge of returning to form after half of last season was wiped out by a torn hamstring. A date to open the season amid the typical raucous crowd at The Linc in Philadelphia on Thursday night when the Eagles raise another Super Bowl banner.

And, of course, check-back-in-January heat persists for Prescott as a walking punching bag that reflects his franchise’s championship drought with his 2-5 playoff record.

The stunning trade last week that sent three-time All-Pro defensive end Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers added another thick layer of pressure on Prescott because…well, just because. Dealing the defensive centerpiece certainly increases heat on team owner Jerry Jones and his front office. It tightens the screws on new coach Brian Schottenheimer and D-coordinator Matt Eberflus, too. You know, scheme up pass-rush pressure.

Yet fair or not, nobody in the Cowboys universe assumes more pressure than Prescott, given his presence as the most scrutinized player on the NFL’s most over-exposed band of underachievers.

See, with or without Parsons, the expectation for Prescott was seemingly cast in stone a year ago when he signed a four-year, $240 million contract extension that averages 60 mil. Let it sink in for a moment. Prescott, who entered the NFL in 2016 as a fourth-round pick, is, Bless him, the highest-paid player in NFL history. With strings attached.

“I didn’t make him the highest-paid player thinking he wasn’t going to win a Super Bowl,” Jones told USA TODAY Sports during a training camp interview. “If I didn’t think he would win a Super Bowl, I wouldn’t have paid him.”

Jones made those comments before the bizarre contract negotiations with Parsons concluded with the trade that netted defensive tackle Kenny Clark and two first-round picks for the Cowboys. Yet the money to Prescott has already been paid (or at least committed, with $231 million guaranteed), which cements the expectation.

No, a great quarterback alone doesn’t win a Super Bowl. Look at the lineup of wanna-be champs beyond Prescott: Lamar Jackson. Josh Allen. Joe Burrow. And then some. It’s a team thing, which is why the greatness of Patrick Mahomes in winning three rings comes with an average of $45 million and the type of below-market deal that, like Tom Brady years earlier, intentionally allows the Kansas City Chiefs to keep or acquire premium talent around the star quarterback.

Then again, there are always choices and projections and creativity in managing the salary cap. In time, we’ll find out if Jerry, even with his delusional Herschel Walker trade comparison, was totally out to lunch in dealing away Parsons. Or not. As much as he disputes it, it sends a message that it was less about winning now and geared more to future reloading.

Maybe Parsons has a DeMarcus Ware post-Dallas experience and helps to win a Super Bowl. Or perhaps he doesn’t hold up physically to justify a record-breaking deal. We’ll see. Yet while Jones determined in previously assessing the long-term quarterback plan that there was no other available option to supplant Prescott – and that conclusion will be proven or not over time, too – the thinking on Parsons included spread-the-wealth dynamics.

Parsons wound up with a four-year, $186 million deal with the Packers that, according to Spotrac.com, averages $46.5 million. It makes him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.

In pondering such a payday for Parsons before the trade, Jones told USA TODAY Sports: “When you pay one player that kind of money, it’s costing you four players. Premium players. When you have two of them – the highest-paid offensive player and the highest-paid defensive player, or something like that, you could have had eight players.”

That thinking, though, hardly lowers the bar of expectations for Prescott, who is in range of setting several key franchise passing records. He knows. For a franchise that hasn’t even advanced to another NFC title game in the 29 years since it claimed its last Super Bowl triumph, the noise has intensified around the recent postseason setbacks.

Think Prescott takes his mediocre playoff record personally?

“I’d better take it personally,” Prescott told USA TODAY Sports during a training camp interview. “You’re the leader of this team, the leader of that group. Whether it’s that record or another record, nobody should be happy with a losing record.

“That’s something I’m not proud of at all, but I understand. I know who I am. I know what I can and cannot do. I know each of those games are independent, right? Sure, some of it has been on me, some of it hasn’t.”

And so goes the noise.

In reacting to the big news over the weekend, Prescott maintained to local reporters that he didn’t think the Cowboys would trade Parsons. That might have been the teammate or football strategist speaking.

Reflecting the reality, with the series of dramatic twists and turns that included Parsons’ trade request and hold-in, and public salvos from Jones, Prescott also maintained that he was not “completely surprised” that the star player was traded.

“It seemed like it got personal,” Prescott allowed.

Which for better or for worse, is part of the equation that has surely turned up the heat for the Cowboys’ high-profile quarterback.

Contact Jarrett Bell at jbell@usatoday.com or follow on social media: On X: @JarrettBell

On Bluesky: jarrettbell.bsky.social

American Jessica Pegula defeated Barbora Krejčíková 6-3, 6-3 to advance to the U.S. Open semifinals.
Pegula, 31, is the oldest woman left in the singles draw and is seeking her first Grand Slam title.
She is the first woman to reach consecutive U.S. Open semifinals without losing a set since Serena Williams.

NEW YORK — American Jessica Pegula had little trouble against Barbora Krejčíková, overwhelming the two-time Grand Slam champion 6-3, 6-3, and setting up a potential rematch in the U.S. Open semifinals with top-ranked and No. 1 seed Aryna Sabalenka.

Sabalenka plays Markéta Vondroušová, the 2023 Wimbledon champion, in the first night session on Tuesday, and beat Pegula in the U.S. Open finals last year.

The crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium barely had time to get settled into their seats for the 11:30 a.m. ET start time, when Pegula took control early with her forehand, and Krejčíková’s inability to sustain any offensive rhythm, even completely whiffing on an attempted forehand chance in the second game.

“I think I’ve been playing some really good tennis,” Pegula said after the match. “I’ve just been playing very solid. I’ve been having very good quick starts, so I really wanted to do that today, especially against someone like (Krejcikova) who’s very dangerous.”

‘I feel really comfortable. It’s crazy to feel this comfortable on the biggest court in the world with the craziest crowd and the best players. Ten years ago, I never thought I’d be good at this, but I guess I am.’

Pegula, the No. 4 seed and a 2024 U.S. Open finalist, didn’t break much of a sweat at the start, racing out to 3-0 and 4-1 leads within the first 20 minutes, looking like the player who had only spent four hours on the court in her first four matches of the tournament, while not losing a set.

But Krejčíková fought back, winning two straight games before letting it slip away when serving for the equalizer, and was broken for the third time in the first set.

Krejčíková is known more for her outstanding career in doubles, having already secured the career Grand Slam in women’s doubles and won a gold medal at the Paris Olympics. She was undone against Pegula by untimely errors with her backhand and an unreliable second serve.

Krejčíková had shown the ability to battle adversity during the tournament, even saving eight match points during the round of 16 win over Taylor Townsend, while spending more than double the time that Pegula had on the court, including her previous two matches, which both went three sets.

Pegula, at 31, is the oldest woman remaining in the singles tournament, and she is seeking her first Grand Slam championship. Pegula is the first woman to reach back-to-back U.S. Open semifinals without dropping a set since Serena Williams (2011-14).

Several key restricted free agents remain unsigned, including Josh Giddey, Jonathan Kuminga, Quentin Grimes, and Cam Thomas.
Key offseason moves include Kevin Durant joining the Rockets, Cameron Johnson joining the Nuggets, and Myles Turner joining the Bucks.

It’s wild to say this, but: NBA training camps open at the end of the month.

With the calendar turning to September, players and coaches will be readying themselves  for a return to the hardcourt. And though this is the quietest part of the NBA calendar, with some players still on vacations abroad, things will be picking up soon.

The first NBA teams to begin training camps are the Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, New Orleans Pelicans and Phoenix Suns, who will report on Wednesday, Sept. 24.

There are still some lingering questions, particularly with the four key unsigned restricted free agents: Josh Giddey (Chicago Bulls), Jonathan Kuminga (Golden State Warriors), Quentin Grimes (76ers) and Cam Thomas (Nets). There is very little — if any at all — cap space that teams are willing to spend, so their current squads have powerful leverage.

But, until we see resolution there, here are USA TODAY Sports’ NBA power rankings, weeks away from the start of training camps:

NBA power rankings – post-Labor Day edition

1. Oklahoma City Thunder

The defending champs return the heart of their roster, and locked up their young three stars – MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren – to massive extensions. The biggest issue OKC may face, aside from health, will be maintaining a standard of excellence and thwarting off complacency.

2. Houston Rockets

They went all-in with the Kevin Durant trade and added supplemental pieces like 3-and-D wing Dorian Finney-Smith. They built this team to compete for titles.

3. Denver Nuggets

Acquiring Cameron Johnson should completely open up Denver’s offense, particularly on the pick-and-roll, and bringing back Bruce Brown was a key locker room addition.

4. New York Knicks

There may be an initial assimilation period with new coach Mike Brown, but New York should rely far more on its bench. Signing Jordan Clarkson on a veteran minimum deal will bring a scoring spark off the bench.

5. Cleveland Cavaliers

After getting bounced in the second round of the playoffs, the Cavs shored up depth with Lonzo Ball and Larry Nance Jr., but Sam Merrill will need to replace the production of Ty Jerome, who signed with the Grizzlies.

6. Los Angeles Clippers

With an aging roster, this may be the Clippers’ final shot to compete for a title with the Kawhi Leonard-James Harden build. Bringing in vets like Chris Paul, Brook Lopez and Bradley Beal should help.

7. Minnesota Timberwolves

After losing the Western Conference finals in consecutive seasons, have the Timberwolves peaked? The roster is mostly the same, though the departure of wing/defensive specialist Nickeil Alexander-Walker won’t help.

8. Los Angeles Lakers

Questions linger about LeBron James’ future, but Los Angeles should still be quite competitive with a slimmed-down Luka Dončić seemingly motivated to elevate the Lakers into a legitimate contender.

9. Boston Celtics

Perhaps it’s not a full rebuild, but more of a reset. In any case, with Jayson Tatum set to miss the entire season with a ruptured Achilles, and with the departures of Kristaps Porziņģis and Jrue Holiday, the team will likely see a dip in performance.

10. Detroit Pistons

Detroit’s biggest “addition” this offseason will be the return of Jaden Ivey (broken fibula), though Caris LeVert and Duncan Robinson will infuse some solid offensive production.

11. Golden State Warriors

This is all going to depend on how the aging trio of Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green fare. The question on unsigned restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga is still lingering, but Golden State’s window is closing.

12. Indiana Pacers

Similar to the Celtics, this should be a reset year, with Tyrese Haliburton missing time with his ruptured Achilles. The Pacers will also need to find a way to make up for the loss of long-time center Myles Turner, who signed with the rival Bucks.

13. Orlando Magic

This is a team that could surprise in the East, with Desmond Bane and rookie Jase Richardson bringing scoring and perimeter shooting to a team that desperately needed it.

14. San Antonio Spurs

The Spurs are a fascinating team, and a candidate to break out. Victor Wembanyama is healthy, they re-signed De’Aaron Fox, and No. 2 overall rookie Dylan Harper should contribute right away.

15. Memphis Grizzlies

They have plenty of young talent – and signing Ty Jerome is a solid boost – but this team’s success will come down to how coach Tuomas Iisalo gets Memphis to minimize turnovers and inefficiencies.

16. Milwaukee Bucks

Myles Turner is a solid signing to replace Brook Lopez, but the Bucks are in a tough spot with Damian Lillard being injured and then waived. Milwaukee needs to convince Giannis Antetokounmpo that the Bucks are built to contend.

17. Atlanta Hawks

Another candidate to break out in the East, not only did the Hawks add Kristaps Porziņģis, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Luke Kennard, but they’ll also have emerging star Jalen Johnson (torn labrum) back.

18. Dallas Mavericks

It’s a shame Kyrie Irving is expected to miss the entire season, because Dallas’ offense would be fireworks with him, Anthony Davis and No. 1 overall rookie Cooper Flagg.

19. Miami Heat

Trading for Norman Powell alleviates some of Miami’s scoring issues, but without a true distributor, the offense may still stagnate.

20. Chicago Bulls

The looming question centers around unsigned restricted free agent Josh Giddey, who shined late last season for Chicago. But with a depressed market, Giddey might have no other option but to bet on himself in a short-term deal.

21. Philadelphia 76ers

Drafting VJ Edgecombe with the No. 3 pick gives the 76ers an elite backcourt, but this will all come down to the health and availabilities of Joel Embiid and Paul George.

22. Toronto Raptors

This will be an interesting team. Brandon Ingram, whom the Raptors acquired in February, never played because of an ankle injury. He’ll be healthy, and should pair well with Scottie Barnes.

23. Sacramento Kings

Dennis Schröder is a solid addition, but the Kings have been at their best when Domantas Sabonis is paired with a star point guard.

24. Phoenix Suns

25. Washington Wizards

The Wizards are very clearly building for the future and suddenly have some solid, young pieces. Last season’s No. 2 overall selection, Alex Sarr is the centerpiece, but Cam Whitmore, who came on a trade with the Rockets, could break out with a larger role.

26. Portland Trail Blazers

The Blazers showed modest improvement last season and traded for Jrue Holiday, who should bring steady leadership. Damian Lillard will be out until next season, but their growth rests on the play of shooting guard Shaedon Sharpe.

27. New Orleans Pelicans

The Pelicans are taking a chance on Jordan Poole, but they absolutely need more from Zion Williamson, who has played in just 214 of 483 regular season games (44.3%) since he entered the league.

28. Brooklyn Nets

This is all going to come down to the five players they drafted in the first round, including Egor Demin at No. 8.

29. Utah Jazz

The Jazz are in a rebuild and acquired more salary they’re looking to shed. The play of No. 5 overall selection Ace Bailey will be telling for the direction Utah takes..

30. Charlotte Hornets

Charlotte looked to add shooting with the addition of Pat Connaughton and the selection of Kon Knueppel in the draft. Still, LaMelo Ball, who is incredibly gifted, should find a way to tweak his style as a high-volume player who relies on increased usage to put up points.

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