The Valkyries vs Wings playoff series is heading to a decisive Game 3 after the Dallas Wings defeated the Golden State Valkyries 108-100 in overtime in a dramatic Game 2. Arike Ogunbowale delivered a WNBA playoff-record 45 points, including a clutch 3-pointer late in regulation that sent the game into overtime.
The result keeps Dallas alive in the first-round series after the Golden State Valkyries dominated Game 1. Golden State had opened the series with a 104-80 victory, but Dallas responded at home to level the matchup.
Valkyries vs Wings Game 2 Recap
The second Valkyries game of the series produced one of the most dramatic finishes of the 2026 WNBA playoffs.
Ogunbowale scored 45 points, setting a WNBA playoff scoring record. She was particularly influential late, scoring 22 points across the fourth quarter and overtime. Her corner 3-pointer with 4.1 seconds remaining in regulation tied the game at 93-93 and forced the extra period.
Dallas then took control in overtime. Ogunbowale hit another 3-pointer to open the period and later connected again to give the Wings a 103-100 advantage with 1:46 remaining.
The Wings eventually closed out the contest 108-100.
Arike Ogunbowale Leads Dallas
Ogunbowale’s performance was the defining storyline of the game. She surpassed her previous WNBA playoff high of 24 points and also moved beyond her overall career-best scoring mark of 41 points during the contest.
Alysha Clark added 21 points for Dallas, while Aziaha James contributed 13.
Paige Bueckers, who is making her postseason debut, had a quieter night by her standards. The 2025 No. 1 overall pick finished with 10 points on 3-of-13 shooting.
Golden State Valkyries Struggle in Overtime
The Golden State Valkyries received 14 points from Kaila Charles and 13 from Kayla Thornton. Cecilia Zandalasini, who led Golden State with 22 points in Game 1, was limited to five points on only three shots in Game 2.
Golden State’s biggest problem came in overtime. The Valkyries scored only four points in the extra period while shooting 2-for-12 from the field. That allowed Dallas to pull away after the teams were tied at 98.
Game 3 Set for San Francisco
With the series tied 1-1, the Valkyries vs Wings matchup now moves back to San Francisco for the deciding Game 3.
Golden State won the series opener by 24 points and will host the elimination game after Dallas dramatically extended the series in Arlington.
The official WNBA playoff schedule lists Game 3 between Dallas and Golden State for October 2 at Chase Center, with ESPN2 listed as the broadcast network.
How the Series Has Changed
The first two games have produced very different results.
Golden State opened the series with a 104-80 win, setting a franchise playoff scoring record and making 18 three-pointers. Dallas then answered with a 108-100 overtime victory in Game 2.
The regular-season matchup also favored the Valkyries. Golden State swept its three regular-season games against Dallas, while Gabby Williams averaged 22.3 points against the Wings during those contests.
That makes Game 3 the deciding chapter of a series that has already featured a dominant opening performance, a record-setting scoring display and an overtime thriller.
Valkyries vs Wings: What to Watch in Game 3
The deciding game will put the focus on whether Golden State can contain Dallas’ perimeter scoring after Ogunbowale’s historic Game 2 performance.
For the Wings, Ogunbowale’s ability to create shots in crucial moments will remain a major storyline. For the Valkyries, the response from their supporting cast will be important after several players made major contributions during the Game 1 victory.
Golden State’s defense was one of the team’s defining strengths during the regular season. The Valkyries entered the playoffs with the WNBA’s top-ranked scoring defense, allowing 75.1 points per game.
The deciding Valkyries game therefore sets up a contrasting matchup: Dallas enters after producing 108 points in overtime, while Golden State returns home looking to regain the form that produced its 104-point Game 1 performance.
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