Valkyries rally from 16 down, seize 1st playoff series win in Game 3 thriller — SkimNews
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- Gabby Williams scored 19 points, including the go-ahead 17-footer with 1:17 remaining, and the Golden State Valkyries won a replay review with 13.1 seconds left to seal a 77-73 Game 3 win over Dallas.
- Natalie Nakase successfully challenged a late possession call originally ruled Dallas' ball, falling to her knees on the sideline before being helped up and later escorted off the court by a staff member after the final buzzer.
- Arike Ogunbowale scored 30 points for Dallas one day after her playoff-record 45-point performance in Wednesday's overtime win, but the Wings were eliminated.
- The second-seeded Valkyries erased a 16-point deficit to win their first playoff series in franchise history after becoming the first expansion team to reach the postseason in their inaugural season last year.
- Paige Bueckers scored 17 points but shot just 3-for-14 for Dallas, making all 10 free throws, as the Wings couldn't get a consistent secondary scorer alongside Ogunbowale.
- Golden State advances to face defending champion Las Vegas Aces in the WNBA semifinals starting Sunday at Chase Center; Veronica Burton added 16 points, 10 rebounds and six assists.
Why it matters: The second-seeded Valkyries, who became the first expansion team to reach the playoffs in their inaugural season last year, eliminate Dallas despite Ogunbowale dropping 30 points one night after her record 45. They now face defending champion Aces in the semifinals beginning Sunday, the franchise's deepest run yet.
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