Ogunbowale Scores Record 45 as Wings Force Game 3

Arike Ogunbowale scored 45 points to set a WNBA postseason record and keep the Dallas Wings’ season alive with a 108-100 overtime victory against the Golden State Valkyries on Wednesday night in Arlington, Texas. The win levels the first-round playoff series at 1-1 after Golden State took the opening game by 24 points.

The deciding Game 3 will take place on Friday night in San Francisco, with the winner advancing to the league semifinals.

Late Drama Forces Overtime

Dallas faced elimination in the closing seconds of regulation while trailing by three points. Guard Paige Bueckers found Ogunbowale on the left baseline, and Ogunbowale sank an off-balance 3-pointer from the corner with 4.1 seconds remaining to tie the score at 93-93.

Following a Golden State timeout, game officials initially called an offensive foul on Golden State’s Gabby Williams on the inbound play. Replay review overturned the call, resulting in a center-court jump ball with 3.0 seconds remaining. Golden State won the tip but missed a desperation shot at the buzzer.

Overtime Push and Record Performance

Ogunbowale took control in the closing stages, scoring 11 points in the fourth quarter and another 11 in overtime. She started the extra period by banking in a 3-pointer, then hit another shot from distance to give Dallas a lead it would not relinquish at 103-100 with 1:46 remaining.

Earlier in overtime, with the game tied at 98, Ogunbowale and Golden State’s Tiffany Hayes made contact and were separated by officials. Both received flagrant fouls and made two free throws each with 2:26 left. Golden State did not score again, finishing 2-for-12 shooting in the extra period.

Ogunbowale’s 45 points broke the WNBA playoff scoring record and surpassed her previous overall career high of 41 points. It marked a dramatic rebound from Game 1, when she managed 10 points on seven shots. “I was going to shoot regardless,” Ogunbowale said regarding her aggressive approach.

Supporting Roles and Looking Ahead

Dallas secured the victory despite a quiet shooting night from Bueckers, who finished 3-for-13 from the field for 10 points alongside four assists. “To come out with a win is huge,” Dallas head coach Jose Fernandez said of surviving his star rookie’s tough offensive performance.

Alysha Clark equaled her playoff career high with 21 points for the Wings, while Aziaha James chipped in 13. Williams led Golden State with a career-high 36 points across both regular season and postseason play, though she missed her final six shots in overtime. Kaila Charles scored 14 points and Kayla Thornton added 13 for the Valkyries. “That was not our best,” Golden State head coach Natalie Nakase said after the loss.

Background

Golden State is competing in its second WNBA season and aims to win its first playoff series in franchise history. Dallas is seeking to reach the postseason semifinals for the second time in six playoff appearances since relocating to the Dallas region in 2016.