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The Golden State Valkyries defeated the Dallas Wings 77-73 on Friday, October 2, 2026, to win their first-round WNBA playoff series 2-1. Golden State erased a 16-point deficit in the deciding Game 3, with Gabby Williams scoring 19 points and hitting the go-ahead jumper with 1:17 remaining. The win sends the Valkyries to the semifinals for the first time in franchise history.
How Golden State came back from 16 points down
Dallas opened the third quarter with a 9-0 run and stretched its lead to 53-37, the Wings’ largest advantage of the game. Golden State answered before the quarter ended, trimming the margin to 59-54.
Veronica Burton’s layup brought the Valkyries within two at 61-59 with 8:19 left. Dallas regained control briefly: Arike Ogunbowale’s off-balance jumper put the Wings up five with 3:13 remaining. Williams then scored the basket that gave Golden State the lead, a 17-foot jumper with 1:17 to play. The Associated Press reported that Williams scored all but two of her points after halftime, including two late third-quarter three-pointers.
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Key performances in Game 3
- Gabby Williams: 19 points for Golden State, including the go-ahead jumper.
- Tiffany Hayes: 18 points off the bench.
- Veronica Burton: 16 points, 10 rebounds and six assists.
- Kaila Charles: Hit the tying three-pointer with 6:51 remaining.
- Kiah Stokes: 13 rebounds.
- Arike Ogunbowale: 30 points for Dallas, after scoring 45 in Game 2.
- Paige Bueckers: 17 points and six assists for the Wings.
The late replay challenge preserved a crucial possession
With 13.1 seconds remaining and Golden State ahead by one, Williams recovered her own missed shot. The play was initially ruled Dallas’s ball, but Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase challenged the call successfully, allowing Golden State to keep possession in the closing seconds.
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Golden State advances to face Las Vegas
The Valkyries entered the deciding game as the second seed and will meet the Las Vegas Aces in a best-of-five semifinal. The Associated Press identified Las Vegas as the defending WNBA champion. The series dates and broadcast details are not included here.
Golden State won Game 1, 104-80. Dallas forced a decider with a 108-100 overtime win in Game 2 on September 30. The Game 3 victory is the Valkyries’ first playoff series win. They had already made history the previous season as the first expansion team to reach the playoffs in its inaugural year, according to the Associated Press.
Quick Recap
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- WNBA Official: Wilson is the official basketball of the WNBA. This ball features official WNBA branding coupled with the iconic Wilson script
- Pure Feel Cover: Indoor/Outdoor pro-level feel and durability is great for play or collecting autographs
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- Composite Pebbled Channels: Composite channels are pebbled instead of smooth, creating a consistent texture over the entire surface of the ball for unparalleled control
- WNBA Official: Wilson is the official basketball of the WNBA. This ball features official WNBA branding coupled with the iconic Wilson script
- Pure Feel Cover: Indoor/Outdoor pro-level feel and durability is great for play or collecting autographs
- Caitlin Clark Signature Series Official: Her Signature Series, personally designed and endorsed by the icon herself
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