Full Breakdown
Valkyries Stun Dallas to Reach WNBA Semifinals
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The Decisive Game
In a winner-take-all Game 3 of the opening round, the second-seeded Golden State Valkyries rallied from a 16-point deficit to defeat the seventh-seeded Dallas Wings 77-73 in San Francisco. Guard Gabby Williams scored 19 points, including a go-ahead 17-footer with 1:17 left and four clutch free throws in the final 9.6 seconds. Tiffany Hayes added 18 points off the bench, Veronica Burton contributed 16 points, 10 rebounds and six assists, and Kiah Stokes led all players with 13 rebounds. The victory marked Golden State’s first playoff-series win in franchise history.
Building a New Franchise
The Valkyries entered the league as an expansion team in 2025, becoming the first expansion franchise to reach the playoffs in its inaugural season. Their rapid ascent continued this year, earning the No. 2 seed and a home-court advantage for the semifinals. The team’s culture has been shaped by a “defensive-first” identity, reflected in a league-lowest 75 points allowed per game during the regular season.
Key Numbers
- Final score: Golden State 77, Dallas 73.
- Williams: 19 points (19 pts, 4 FG-3, 2 FT-4).
- Hayes: 18 points off the bench.
- Burton: 16 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists.
- Stokes: 13 rebounds (most of any player).
- Dallas’ Arike Ogunbowale led the Wings with 30 points and a 45-point performance in the series-clinching Game 2.
Official Statements & Responses
Assistant coach Kasib Powell addressed media after the game, confirming that head coach Natalie Nakase—who briefly collapsed to her knees during a fourth-quarter timeout—was “fine” and would coach the upcoming semifinal game. Powell added that the team was in good spirits and preparing for Sunday’s matchup.
Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon emphasized the importance of rest before the semifinals, noting that the Aces “have a grind” and will be “locked in” when they travel to Chase Center.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I came here just because I just wanted someone to believe in me, that's really it, in the league at least,” — Gabby Williams
- “We definitely owe Ballhalla a big thank you for tonight,” — Gabby Williams
- “We do know that she will be ready for Sunday,” — Kasib Powell, assistant coach
- “I have my days. I have my moments because I'm human,” — A'ja Wilson
- “I just told them to be ready to run 40,” — Becky Hammon, Aces coach
What’s Next
The Valkyries will host the defending champion Las Vegas Aces in Game 1 of the best-of-five semifinals on Sunday at Chase Center. The series follows a 2-2-1 format, giving Golden State home-court advantage for the first two games and a potential Game 5. Both teams have met three times this season, with the Aces sweeping the regular-season meetings on May 31, June 6, and June 21.
The outcome will determine which team advances to the WNBA Finals, where they will face the winner of the Atlanta Dream–New York Liberty semifinal.