Gabby Williams led the charge with 19 points, scoring all but two of them after intermission. Her clutch 17-footer with 1:17 remaining put the Valkyries ahead for good, and she sealed the victory with four free throws in the final 9.6 seconds. The victory marks the first playoff series win in franchise history for Golden State, which reached the postseason in its inaugural campaign last year and is now in its second WNBA season, according to Field Level Media.
A Wild Third Quarter and Dallas Surge
The elimination game swung violently after halftime. Seventh-seeded Dallas capitalized on a stagnant Golden State offense, opening the third quarter with a 9-0 surge and capping a 20-0 run that bridged the second and third periods. Arike Ogunbowale, who set a playoff scoring record with 45 points in the Wings’ 108-100 overtime win on Wednesday, paced the visitors with 30 points.
Ogunbowale knocked down an off-balance jumper with 3:13 left in regulation to give Dallas a 72-67 lead, following a stretch where she scored seven consecutive points despite battling an apparent groin injury. But the Valkyries clamped down defensively, holding the Wings scoreless down the stretch while mounting their offensive response.
Key Contributions and Replay Drama
Supporting Williams, Veronica Burton delivered a stellar all-around performance for Golden State with 16 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists. Kiah Stokes dominated the glass with a game-high 13 rebounds, while Tiffany Hayes added 18 points off the bench, and Kaila Charles hit a crucial tying 3-pointer early in the fourth quarter.
The game’s tense finish hinged on a critical review with 13.1 seconds remaining and Golden State leading by one point. Williams jumped back inbounds to corral her own missed shot on a play initially awarded to Dallas. Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase successfully challenged the ruling, retaining possession and allowing Williams to ice the game from the foul line moments later.
Next Steps in the Postseason
With the hard-fought series victory secured, the second-seeded Valkyries advance to face the defending WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces in the best-of-five semifinals. Game 1 is scheduled for Sunday at Chase Center, where the team will return to face a formidable opponent before their home crowd.