Gabby Williams Scores Career-High 36, but Wings Force Game 3 Against Valkyries

The Golden State Valkyries were one win away from the second round. The Dallas Wings made sure they’ll have to wait one more game.

Facing elimination, Dallas beat Golden State to even the first-round series and force a Game 3, spoiling a historic night from Gabby Williams. Williams led the Valkyries with a career-high 36 points on 12-of-23 shooting and went a perfect 7-for-7 from the free-throw line. She added a team-high seven assists, six rebounds and a postseason-high four steals, and set new postseason highs with 12 points in a quarter and 18 in a half. Williams became the first player in WNBA postseason history to record at least 36 points, seven assists, five rebounds and four steals in a game.

Arike Ogunbowale said in the Wings’ postgame presser that her approach changed after Game 1. Golden State routed Dallas 104-80 on Sunday at Chase Center, and Ogunbowale finished that night with 10 points on 2-of-7 shooting.

“We felt like we got pushed around when we played in San Francisco, and me personally, I don’t feel like I was aggressive,” Ogunbowale said. “I just knew I was going to shoot regardless, because seven shots isn’t enough to win in the playoffs. I have to be aggressive whether it’s going in or not.”

Asked about reaching a milestone in the win, Ogunbowale kept the focus on the series.

“It’s always a blessing, and I thank God anytime I can reach a milestone, but winning is more important,” she said.

Wings veteran Alysha Clark, asked about defending Williams, gave her credit.

“Gabby hit some tough shots tonight, but that’s who she is and who she’s grown to be in this league,” Clark said. “Gabby had 36 tonight, but as long as you make them work for their shots, that’s what it’s all about.”

Clark also pointed to experience as the difference in a win-or-go-home game.

“You don’t win by accident,” Clark said. “Preparation, poise, being organized in these moments — it doesn’t show up in a box score or to the naked eye. But when you’re out there on the floor, it shows up within the team dynamic.”

Wings head coach Fernandez said the response showed what his team is made of after the Game 1 loss.

“It showed the type of players we have in this organization,” Fernandez said. “Going on the road, not playing well, coming back on a short turnaround, and how they responded, how hard they competed. I told them how proud I am of them as their coach, and how dialed in they were at shootaround and film. The communication, the sense of urgency and accountability that they had for one another, that’s how we closed it out.”

Fernandez credited Clark’s work on Williams and the Dallas bench for taking pressure off the starters.

“There was growth from Game 1 to Game 2. Paige virtually carried us in Game 1,” Fernandez said. “You look at AC and Zah off the bench, I thought we were able to relieve some pressure. Had other people step up. What AC did to challenge and guard Gabby. I mean, Gabby had a great game.”

Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase said the loss didn’t reflect who her team is.

“At the end of the day, I’m never going to be happy after a loss, especially when it doesn’t show our identity; and our identity is defense,” Nakase said. “So we got to lock in. We have to be smarter; we have to be more connected. We got to communicate at a higher volume, especially when they’re trying to break some of our defensive coverages. That’s what we got to make sure to look at on film, regroup, and be ready to go.”

Williams agreed the Valkyries weren’t themselves.

“Our energy is different. I didn’t recognize us tonight, I don’t think any of us did,” Williams said. “We can control what we do, and it’s going to come back to those times.”

Kayla Thornton said the team expected a fight.

“This is playoff basketball, it was expected. Shoutout to Dallas, they played well tonight,” Thornton said. “[Now] we have to go back to the film and see what we need to work on before the next game.”

Thornton finished with 13 points on 4-of-8 shooting, including 3-of-4 from three. She tied her postseason high with six rebounds and passed 100 career postseason points. Kaila Charles set a postseason high with 14 points and added three rebounds. Veronica Burton had 11 points, five assists, two steals and a block, and also passed 100 career postseason points. Janelle Salaün added 11 points, four rebounds and three assists. Golden State shot 34-of-73 (46.6 percent) from the field, 12-of-27 (44.4 percent) from three and 20-of-23 (87 percent) from the line.

Fernandez said both teams know what home court means heading into Game 3.

“Golden State and Dallas have the two best home records in the league,” Fernandez said. “So incredible environment, and hopefully we can do what we need to in San Francisco so we can have that environment again. Now we have a great opportunity to go back there and play for a berth as one of the final four teams.”

The Valkyries return to Chase Center to host Dallas in Game 3 on Friday, October 2, at 6 p.m. PT on ESPN, 95.7 The Game, ESPN 1320 and the Audacy App.