Dallas was on the brink of elimination, their season hanging by a thread, but Arike Ogunbowale absolutely refused to let it end, exploding for a WNBA playoff record 45 points to power the Wings to a massive 108-100 overtime win against the Golden State Valkyries. This was Game 2 of the first round, and Dallas was staring down a 0-2 deficit after a crushing 104-80 Game 1 loss where the Valkyries dropped a 37-11 second quarter on them. Talk about a comeback!
Clutch City Stunner
Ogunbowale didn’t just break a record; she *saved* her team when they were trailing heading into the fourth quarter of an elimination game. She iced it with a game-tying three-pointer with just 4.1 seconds left in regulation, sending the College Park Center crowd into a frenzy and forcing overtime. Postgame, she kept it real, saying, “It’s special. There’s so many great players to come through [this league], but I mean, we gotta do something in the playoffs. I can have this, it’s always a blessing, obviously thank God anytime you can reach a milestone, but winning is more important.” That’s the mentality you want from your star: records are cool, but the W is everything. This performance was an absolute masterclass in clutch play, showing why she’s one of the league’s most tenured and dangerous players.
The Fight Back
The Wings didn’t just ride Ogunbowale’s shoulders all game; this was a team effort to claw back into it. Golden State came out blazing, hitting 4-6 from deep to grab an early 21-13 lead. Ogunbowale and Bueckers were carrying the load, combining for 11 of Dallas’s first 13 points, but the Valkyries’ widespread offense was tough to contain. Coach Jose Fernandez called a timeout, and Dallas responded with an 8-0 run, tying the game at 21 behind some inspired defensive energy and a more patient offense. Golden State fired back with a 7-0 run of their own, pushing the lead to 30-23 in the second quarter, forcing another Fernandez timeout. With their season on the line, the Wings dug deep. Alysha Clark and Aziaha James stepped up huge, combining for 17 first-half points to lead a crucial 27-15 run that gave Dallas a 50-45 lead going into the break. Odyssey Sims even hit a go-ahead layup late in the second, igniting the crowd. The defense also locked down, shutting down the backdoor lanes that had torched them early. Fernandez perfectly summed it up: “At one point or another, you have to question if there’s going to be a change. There has to be some kind of fight and they showed it today.”
This victory isn’t just about a record; it’s about the Dallas Wings, who finished the regular season 27-17 as the seventh seed, securing their first winning season and playoff berth since 2023. This team showed serious heart, proving they won’t go down without a fight, pushing past an early deficit and a Game 1 blowout to keep their playoff dreams alive in a thrilling overtime battle.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Mavs Moneyball.
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