The Golden State Valkyries’ second season has brought historic success on and off the court. The WNBA expansion franchise received the league’s highest valuation from Forbes, just before the WNBA tipped off its milestone 30th season.
In 2025, the Valkyries became the first expansion franchise in league history to reach the playoffs in its inaugural season. They also sold out every regular season home game and set a league attendance record, averaging more than 18,000 fans per contest. The Valkyries built on that successful debut Friday night, rallying past the Dallas Wings in Game 3 to secure the first playoff series victory in franchise history.
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Valkyries forward Gabby Williams scored 19 points as Golden State rallied from a 16-point deficit to beat Dallas 77-73 in a dramatic, winner-take-all Game 3.
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Golden State Valkyries guard Veronica Burton (22) handles the ball against the Dallas Wings during Game 3 of the first-round series in the 2026 WNBA Playoffs on Oct. 2, 2026, at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. (Jed Jacobsohn/NBAE via Getty Images)
The game’s decisive moment came with 13.1 seconds remaining and Golden State holding a one-point lead. Williams leaped back inbounds to secure her own miss on a play initially ruled Dallas’ ball, but Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase successfully challenged the call.
Nakase had fallen to her knees moments earlier and needed help getting up before being escorted off the court by a staff member after the final buzzer as her team celebrated at midcourt.
Arike Ogunbowale knocked down an off-balance jumper with 3:13 to play that put Dallas up by five and finished with 30 points to follow up a 45-point performance in the Wings’ overtime win Wednesday night at home.
Williams scored all but two of her points after halftime. Veronica Burton had 16 points, 10 rebounds and six assists. Burton’s layup with 8:19 to play pulled the Valkyries within 61-59, Williams hit two 3-pointers late in the third and they both willed Golden State into the best-of-five semifinals against the defending WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces.
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The Golden State Valkyries and the Dallas Wings huddle during Game 3 of the first-round series in the 2026 WNBA Playoffs on Oct. 2, 2026, at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. (Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
Tiffany Hayes scored 18 points off the bench, Kaila Charles hit a tying 3-pointer with 6:51 left and Kiah Stokes pulled down 13 rebounds.
Paige Bueckers had 17 points with six assists but shot only 3 for 14 for Dallas, making all 10 of her free throws.
Golden State Valkyries guard Tiffany Hayes shoots against Dallas Wings forward Jessica Shepard during the first half of Game 3 of the first-round WNBA playoff series on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, in San Francisco, California. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Before the hard fought game, Nakase challenged the Valkyries to deliver a complete performance. “We made a promise to ourselves we are going to play the best four quarters of our lives.”
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The Valkyries are scheduled to host the defending champion Las Vegas Aces on Sunday in Game 1 of the semifinals. The Atlanta Dream will host the New York Liberty in the other semifinal matchup.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
