WNBA Playoffs: Golden State Erases Deficit to Eliminate Dallas, 77-73

SAN FRANCISCO — The Golden State Valkyries are officially heading to the WNBA Semifinals for the first time in their 2-year history with a thrilling, winner-take-all Game 3 on Friday night. The Valkyries overcame a sluggish start and a significant deficit to defeat the Dallas Wings 77-73, clinching the series 2-1. Golden State will now advance to face the two-time defending champion Las Vegas Aces for the right to play for the WNBA title.

The story of the night was a tale of two halves, defined by the resilience of the Valkyries and a dramatic redemption arc for star forward Gabby Williams as she helped spark Golden State’s comeback. Williams had such a rough start to the game that head coach Natalie Nakase had ot bench her for a bit. Williams came back in the game and took over.

Dallas Controls the Early Tempo

For the first three quarters, the Dallas Wings looked poised to pull off the road upset. Riding the momentum of Arike Ogunbowale’s historic 45-point performance in Game 2, Dallas came out executing with surgical precision.

The Wings controlled the paint, dominated the glass, and consistently disrupted Golden State’s offensive flow. The Valkyries looked disjointed, and Gabby Williams personified their struggles. Usually a reliable two-way force, Williams had a brutal start to the game. She forced shots, turned the ball over, and looked visibly frustrated by the physical defense of the Wings. Recognizing her struggles, head coach Natalie Nakase made the tough decision to sit Williams down for a significant portion of the second and third quarters to let her reset.

With Williams on the bench, Dallas built a comfortable double-digit lead heading into the final frame, threatening to end Golden State’s season.

The Turning Point

Needing a spark in the fourth quarter, Nakase rolled the dice and put Williams back into the game. The decision paid massive dividends.

A completely rejuvenated Williams checked back in and instantly changed the energy of the building. She opened the quarter by forcing a steal that led to a fast-break layup, igniting the raucous crowd at Chase Center. That single play catalyzed a massive Golden State avalanche.

The Valkyries went on a suffocating 18-4 run to erase the Dallas lead completely. Williams was everywhere during the stretch—locking down Ogunbowale on the perimeter, grabbing highly contested rebounds, and facilitating the offense. Her defensive intensity became contagious, as Golden State’s collective pressure forced Dallas into a string of costly late-game turnovers.

Closing Out the Wings

With the momentum completely flipped, Golden State’s depth took over in the final minutes. The Valkyries executed flawlessly in the half-court, drawing fouls and sinking clutch free throws to put the game out of reach. Dallas, exhausted from the massive momentum shift, simply ran out of gas.

The final buzzer sounded to a deafening roar, capping off a remarkable comeback and officially sending the Wings into the offseason.

Looking Ahead: A Clash with the Champs

The Valkyries have proven they belong, but their ultimate test awaits. By eliminating Dallas, Golden State has booked a date with the Las Vegas Aces in the WNBA Semifinals.

The matchup pits the league’s newest powerhouse against its most established modern dynasty. The Aces, fresh off eliminating the Indiana Fever, will present a massive challenge with their championship pedigree and the interior dominance of A’ja Wilson. But as Friday night proved, the Valkyries are never truly out of a fight.