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Arike Ogunbowale Scores 45 Points to Set WNBA Playoffs Record as Dallas Wings Force Game 3
Arike Ogunbowale scored 45 points against the Golden State Valkyries, setting a new single-game WNBA playoffs scoring record and extending her team’s postseason run in a 108-100 overtime victory. With Dallas facing elimination on the road after a 104-80 blowout loss three days prior, Ogunbowale delivered an offensive masterclass against the league’s top-ranked defense to level the series at 1-1.
Ogunbowale Hits Late 3-Pointer to Force Overtime
The game came down to the final seconds of regulation when Dallas trailed by three points with just 10 seconds remaining. Paige Bueckers found Ogunbowale on the perimeter, where she faced tight defensive pressure from France’s Gabby Williams. Despite the contest, Ogunbowale rose up and sank an improbable, off-balance 3-pointer to tie the game at 93-93 and force the extra session.
«Elle est probablement tout en haut parce qu’elle compte vraiment», Ogunbowale said regarding where the clutch shot ranked in her career, noting that a loss would have ended their season immediately. «C’est un match où, si nous perdions, nous étions éliminées.»
In the overtime period, Dallas outscored Golden State 15-7 to seal the win. Ogunbowale opened the extra session with another deep 3-pointer and later added two free throws following a flagrant foul by Tiffany Hayes, before hitting yet another perimeter shot to push her team ahead by three points with under two minutes left. When the Valkyries were forced to foul in the closing moments, Ogunbowale’s free throws pushed her past the previous playoffs single-game scoring mark of 43 points previously held by Napheesa Collier, finishing the night with 45 points on 12-of-23 shooting from the field, including 5-of-8 from beyond the arc.
Gabby Williams and Golden State Fall Just Short in Offensive Thriller
While Ogunbowale claimed the historic scoring record, Golden State’s Gabby Williams mounted a spectacular counter-effort. Williams exploded for a career-high 36 points, adding 7 assists and 6 rebonds for the Valkyries, alongside 11 points from Janelle Salaün off the bench. Despite shooting 46.6% from the floor and 44.4% from 3-point range, Golden State could not overcome Ogunbowale’s late-game heroics and missed several crucial shots down the stretch in overtime.
The stark contrast between the teams’ defensive metrics and the actual output defined the matchup. The Valkyries entered the contest boasting the best defense in the league, yet surrendered 108 points in a high-octane offensive duel. Dallas shot 50% overall and an efficient 52.2% (12/23) from deep while outrebounding Golden State by nine boards.
Atlanta Dream Sweeps Washington Mystics to Reach Semifinals
In the evening’s other postseason action, the Atlanta Dream secured a 93-75 victory over the Washington Mystics to sweep their series in two games. Atlanta advanced to the WNBA semifinals for the first time since 2018 behind 22 points from Allisha Gray and a stellar closing performance from Jordin Canada, who scored 13 of her 19 points in the fourth quarter. The Mystics fought back from a 13-point halftime deficit to pull within three points at 65-62, but 19 turnovers ultimately derailed Washington despite Kiki Iriafen’s 15 points and 16 rebounds.
What Comes Next in the Dallas-Golden State Series
With the series tied at 1-1, Dallas and Golden State will meet in a decisive Game 3 at San Francisco on Friday. The winner will advance to the next round of the WNBA playoffs, while the loser’s season will come to an end.
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