Valkyries Rally from 16 Down to Reach Semifinals

Gabby Williams scored 19 points and hit a go-ahead 17-foot jumper with 1:17 remaining, leading the Golden State Valkyries to a 77-73 victory over the Dallas Wings on Friday night. The win completed a comeback from a 16-point deficit in Game 3 of their first-round WNBA playoff series, securing the second-seeded Valkyries’ first playoff series victory.

Controversial Replay Review Seals Victory

With 13.1 seconds left and Golden State leading by one, Williams retrieved her own missed inbound pass after a review overturned an initial call that gave Dallas the ball. Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase successfully challenged the decision, then walked off the court escorted by staff while holding her face as the team celebrated at midcourt.

The team confirmed afterward that Nakase was fine and expected to coach Sunday’s Game 1, though assistant coach Kasib Powell addressed the media in her absence. The Valkyries will return to Chase Center for the series opener against the defending WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces, facing a home crowd described as “deafening, violet-crazed.”

Second Half Surge Overcomes Early Struggles

Williams scored all but two of her points after halftime, including two key three-pointers in the third quarter that helped Golden State close the gap. Veronica Burton contributed 16 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists, while Tiffany Hayes added 18 points off the bench.

The Valkyries trailed 53-37 late in the third quarter after missing nine of their first ten shots in the period. They pulled within 59-54 entering the final 10 minutes. Kaila Charles hit a tying three-pointer with 6:51 left, and Kiah Stokes grabbed 13 rebounds. Dallas’ Arike Ogunbowale, who scored a playoff-record 45 points in Wednesday’s overtime win, finished with 30 points on 11-of-21 shooting.

Playoff First in Franchise History

The second-seeded Valkyries won their first playoff series, becoming the first expansion team to reach the playoffs in their inaugural season last year. Dallas’ Paige Bueckers had 17 points and made all 10 of her free throws but shot just 3-of-14 from the field.

Before the game, Valkyries coach Nakase declared, “We made a promise to ourselves we are going to play the best four quarters of our lives.” The team struggled to recognize itself after scoring 100 or more points in Games 1 and 2, including a 104-80 win in the series opener. Williams’ clutch performance and the controversial replay review defined the turnaround, with the Valkyries advancing to face the Aces in the next round.