The Golden State Valkyries just snagged their first-ever WNBA playoff series win, and let me tell you, Gabby Williams absolutely refused to be denied in Game 3. They pulled off a stunning 77-73 victory against the Dallas Wings, and it was a comeback for the ages, proving that this team has some serious fight.
Arike’s Firestorm Couldn’t Stop the Valkyries’ Surge
This game was a wild ride, a true “game of runs” if there ever was one. Dallas came out scorching, riding the high from Arike Ogunbowale’s playoff-record 45 points in Game 2. Arike was an absolute menace again, dropping 17 points in the first half and finishing with a 30-ball. The woman is unreal! Her 75 points in the last two games? That’s the second-most in WNBA Playoff history, trailing only Napheesa Collier’s 80. Dallas even strung together a massive 20-0 sprint starting in the second quarter and stretching into the third, looking like they were about to upset Golden State and cruise into the semifinals.
But the Valkyries weren’t about to roll over. Down 16 points, it was Veronica Burton who finally snapped Golden State’s scoring drought and kickstarted their own epic comeback. From there, the Valkyries went on a 14-4 run to close out the third quarter, slashing the deficit to just five points heading into the final frame. Talk about a momentum shift!
Gabby Takes Over and the Team Believes
Then, the fourth quarter became the Gabby Williams show. She went to work, pouring in 11 of her 19 points in the final frame. With less than 90 seconds left, she nailed the go-ahead mid-range shot that ultimately sealed the deal. Big shots in big moments, that’s what we love to see!
Tiffany Hayes, who dropped 18 points off the bench herself, couldn’t say enough about Gabby after the game. She called Williams “Big shot Gabby,” emphasizing, “She’s our dog, she’s our leader and she’s the one we go to, and she showed you exactly why. We’ll do it again and again, and over and over. … That’s Gabby f—ing Williams.” Williams, for her part, talked about how much she appreciates the belief her team has in her in these high-pressure situations, something she felt was missing earlier in her WNBA career. She said it’s not even just about making the shot, it’s about making the right decisions because her teammates trust her with the ball. That kind of trust is huge for any player.
Now, the No. 2-seed Valkyries have a real challenge ahead: the No. 3-seed Las Vegas Aces in the semifinals. Vegas is a serious squad, described as loaded with belief, heroics, intimidation, and experience. Plus, they swept Golden State 3-0 during the regular season, so the Valkyries know what they’re up against. Dallas might be kicking themselves over this missed opportunity, but the Valkyries are flying high on a historic win, and they’re going to need all that belief and heroics against the Aces.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Swish Appeal.
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