The Golden State Valkyries overcame a 16-point second-half deficit to defeat the Dallas Wings 77-73 on Friday night in San Francisco, winning Game 3 of their first-round playoff series to advance to the WNBA semifinals for the first time in franchise history.
How the Valkyries Erased a 16-Point Deficit Against Dallas
Golden State advanced after turning around a contest that slipped away during a disastrous stretch bridging the second and third quarters. The Wings launched a 20-0 run that carried into the second half, building their largest lead at 53-37 with 16 minutes left in regulation (according to CBS News). During one particularly stagnant stretch, the Valkyries missed 15 consecutive shots.
The turnaround began when point guard Veronica Burton began the process of chipping away at the lead at Chase Center. Gabby Williams added two late third-quarter three-pointers to trim the deficit to five heading into the final period. Williams finished with 19 points, scoring all but two of them after halftime.
“We made a promise to ourselves we are going to play the best four quarters of our lives.”
Natalie Nakase, Golden State Valkyries head coach
What Decided the Final Minutes in San Francisco
The fourth quarter featured a relentless exchange of leads before Golden State pulled ahead for good. Kaila Charles tied the game 65-65 with a three-pointer with 6:51 left on the clock (reported The Mercury News), and Burton put the Valkyries ahead on a layup with 8:19 remaining.
Dallas answered through Arike Ogunbowale, who knocked down an off-balance jumper to put the Wings up 72-67 with 3:13 remaining. Ogunbowale finished with 30 points, following up a playoff-record 45-point performance in the Wings’ overtime win in Game 2. However, Dallas missed its final five attempts from the field down the stretch (noted FOX 4 News Dallas-Fort Worth).
Williams hit a 17-foot pull-up jumper with 1:17 left to give Golden State a 73-72 lead. With 13.1 seconds remaining and the Valkyries leading by one, Williams corralled her own missed shot after jumping back inbounds. Head coach Natalie Nakase successfully challenged the initial ruling that the ball belonged to Dallas. Williams then sealed the victory by sinking four free throws down the stretch.
Who the Valkyries Face Next in the WNBA Semifinals
By securing the series win, the second-seeded Valkyries earn a matchup against the defending WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces in the best-of-five semifinals (according to ESPN). Game 1 is scheduled for Sunday at Chase Center in San Francisco. The Aces advanced by defeating the Indiana Fever.
For Dallas, the elimination brings a conclusion to a rebuilding season that saw a 17-win improvement from the previous year. Despite playing without injured Azzi Fudd down the stretch — with Paige Bueckers limited to 3-of-14 shooting in Game 3 while making all ten of her free throws — the Wings pushed the second-seeded expansion franchise to the limit in a winner-take-all playoff environment.
Stokes and Hayes Lead Golden State to Victory
Kiah Stokes anchored the interior for Golden State, pulling down 13 rebounds and blocking three shots while serving as a vital defensive presence against Most Improved Player Jessica Shepard. Tiffany Hayes provided instant offense off the bench, scoring 18 points in her reserve minutes. Veronica Burton contributed 16 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists in the decisive contest.
The series opened with a 104-80 blowout by the Valkyries in San Francisco before Dallas evened the score with a 108-100 overtime triumph at home, set up by Ogunbowale’s historic 45-point outburst.
In the upcoming round, Golden State faces a formidable challenge against a Las Vegas squad featuring A’ja Wilson, Jackie Young, and Chelsea Gray.
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