The Golden State Valkyries are on to the semifinals of the 2026 WNBA playoffs after completing a 16-point comeback to beat the Dallas Wings in their winner-take-all Game 3 on Friday, 77-73. This was the first playoff series victory for the Valkyries, who entered the league as an expansion franchise last season. The Valkyries will face the reigning champion Las Vegas Aces with a trip to the Finals on the line.
After a stunning overtime win in Game 2, the Wings carried that momentum into Game 3 and built a nine-point lead early in the second quarter. The Valkyries were able to surge back in front late in the second, however, and it seemed they would take control from there. Instead, the Wings ended the first half on an 11-0 run to go back in front, and they pushed their advantage up to 16 in the third quarter as the Valkyries' offense went ice cold.
The momentum swung again late in the third, as the Valkyries ripped off a 14-4 run to make it a five-point game going into the fourth. The final frame was back-and-forth and filled with drama. In the final two minutes, Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase collapsed on the floor briefly in a heated discussion with officials.
She got up quickly and coached the rest of the game, and the team told ESPN postgame that she was "exhausted got lightheaded during the game, but is fine now." Eventually, the Valkyries' defense, energy and crowd proved too much for the Wings. With 1:17 to play, Gabby Williams hit a pull-up jumper from the mid-range to give the Valkyries the lead for good, then sealed the game at the free throw line. THE @VALKYRIES FIRST EVER PLAYOFF SERIES WIN 💜 pic.twitter.com/HUoZrYJOEA Williams finished with a team-high 19 points, while Veronica Burton put up 16 points, 10 rebounds and six assists and Tiffany Hayes added 18 points off the bench.
Arike Ogunbowale, who set a WNBA playoff scoring record with 45 points in Game 2, backed that up with 30 points despite an apparent late groin injury. She did not get enough help, however. Notably, Paige Bueckers had 17 points but shot 3 of 14 from the field.
Game 1 between the Valkyries and Aces is set for Sunday in San Francisco. Before the quick turnaround, let's take a look at how the Valkyries completed their remarkable comeback. The Valkyries' 99.1 defensive rating was the best in the league during the regular season and more than four points per 100 possessions better than any other team.
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