ARLINGTON, Texas – In a dramatic first‑round showdown, Dallas Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale delivered a historic performance, scoring a WNBA playoff‑record 45 points to push the series to a deciding third game. The Wings rallied from a three‑point deficit in the final seconds of regulation, sending the contest into overtime and ultimately prevailing 108‑100 on Wednesday night.
Clutch play forces overtime
With the Wings trailing by three and the clock winding down, teammate Paige Bueckers slipped a pass to Ogunbowale on the left baseline. Ogunbowale drove into the corner and released an off‑balance three‑pointer that tied the game at 93‑93 with 4.1 seconds left. The basket sent the match into an extra period, where Ogunbowale continued her scoring spree.
Overtime heroics seal the win
Opening overtime, Ogunbowale banked in a three‑pointer, then knocked down another to give Dallas a 103‑100 lead with 1:46 remaining. She finished the night shooting 5‑of‑8 from beyond the arc, 12‑of‑23 overall, and a flawless 16‑of‑18 from the free‑throw line. Her 45‑point outburst eclipsed her previous playoff high of 24 points and set a new league benchmark.
Supporting cast and key moments
Paige Bueckers, who struggled with a 3‑for‑13 shooting night, contributed four assists, including the crucial pass that set up Ogunbowale’s tying three and the early overtime bucket. Dallas forward Alysha Clark matched her playoff career high with 21 points, while Aziaha James added 13.
Golden State’s Gabby Williams posted a career‑high 36 points but missed all six of her shots in the final 1:31 of overtime, finishing 12‑of‑23 from the field. The Valkyries’ offense stalled, shooting just 2‑of‑12 in the extra period.
Coaches weigh in
Wings head coach Jose Fernandez praised the team’s resilience: “For us to win without Paige having her usual offensive output shows the depth of this squad. We had other people step up.” Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase acknowledged the loss but remained optimistic: “We got one at home, and we have to come back with clear minds, focus, and a solid game plan for tomorrow.”
Looking ahead
The series now shifts to San Francisco for Game 3 on Friday night, where the Valkyries will seek to rebound from a 24‑point loss in the opener. Both teams will be looking to capitalize on the momentum from this tightly contested battle as they vie for a spot in the semifinals.
Dallas’ run marks the franchise’s second semifinal appearance in six postseason trips since relocating to the Dallas area in 2016. The Wings will aim to build on this historic effort and continue to bring excitement to fans across North Texas.
Original reporting: Fort Worth, TX Sports (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
