The Golden State Valkyries visited the Dallas Wings on Wednesday looking to sweep the series and advance to the next round. They knew that they would be facing a team going all out to avoid elimination and it ended up being a very different game than the last meeting on Sunday. Dallas was able to continue to find success on offense and forced overtime, making key plays to get the 108-100 win. The teams will now play the deciding game back in San Francisco on Friday.
The Lineup
There was no late player news for either team, so both sides were able to start the same way. The teams did make adjustments to their substitution patterns as the Valkyries tried some even stronger defensive groupings and Dallas turned to their veterans first off of the bench. Both teams stuck with familiar groupings in the second half with some late adjustments for specific situations. The Wings were forced into closing with smallball lineups after Awak Kuier got hurt late while Kaila Charles and Veronica Burton ended up fouling out for the Valkyries.
First Quarter
Gabby Williams scored on the first Valkyries possession and then Cecilia Zandalasini drove in for a layup after the team got a second steal in a row. Dallas did get on the board next and then tied the score before Williams made a three-pointer. Veronica Burton connected from the corner before the Wings scored again as Williams was able to generate a good look for herself again. Dallas made the first two free throws and then it was Kayla Thornton’s turn to make a three-pointer from the opposite corner. Williams answered the first Wings long-range make and then answered another basket by splitting two defenders and getting fouled on a layup before the media timeout.
Williams completed the three-point play after the stoppage, but Dallas did continue to find some success on offense and got closer with two more baskets. They made it a one-possession game at the free throw line and then tied the score after getting more stops on defense. The Wings missed a chance to take the lead and Janelle Salaun got fouled heading to the basket, making one of the free throws. The teams traded fouls with both sides in the bonus and Tiffany Hayes made both free throws to get the lead back and then made a layup after another Wings split at the foul line for the 26-23 lead.
Second Quarter
Kaila Charles scored the first basket of the quarter after cutting into a wide open lane to the hoop. Janelle Salaun scored next on a similar look to immediately force a Dallas timeout. The Wings got their first points at the free throw line and then made a three-pointer as Golden State took a timeout to preserve possession.
Gabby Williams was able to dribble into a three-pointer, but Dallas was able to get out in transition again to keep the score close. Kayla Thornton was left open in the corner for another three-pointer that the Wings answered before making it a one-point game again. Veronica Burton attacked the basket and made one of the two free throws that she was awarded. Williams continued her great start by setting up an open baseline jumper. Dallas was also successful from beyond the arc as Burton made another layup after they missed a chance to get the lead. They tied the score by banking in a three-pointer before the shot clock expired and then did not miss the latest chance to take the lead.
There was a stoppage for the officials to review a foul drawn by Cecilia Zandalasini that was not upgraded. The Wings got back to the free throw line, but the Valkyries were in the bonus too and able to match them with two Burton makes. Dallas got two more free throws and a three-pointer before Janelle Salaun’s late basket left Golden State trailing 50-45.
Third Quarter
Kayla Thornton opened the half with a three-pointer from the wing and then she drew a foul trying to race to the basket in transition, tying the score with the free throws. Dallas scored their first basket on a three-pointer as Thornton scored again, this time by setting up a mid-range jumpshot. The Wings connected again from beyond the arc, drawing a foul in the process to make it a four-point play. Gabby Williams drove in for a layup and then found Cecilia Zandalasini for an open three-pointer to tie the score again. Dallas had the lead again momentarily before Williams made it again from distance for the sudden Valkyries edge, getting to the free throw line next to add two points before the media timeout.
The Wings scored when play resumed and then Janelle Salaun answered with a turnaround jumper from the baseline. Dallas scored again and made two free throws after another timeout to take the lead back. They got back to the foul line to add a point before Veronica Burton banked in a three-pointer. The Wings got the lead again and then Kaila Charles got fouled securing a rebound, making both free throws before the advantage flipped again. Charles was left open for a three-pointer in the corner and then drove with the clock running out to answer another Dallas basket with the layup to give Golden State a 74-72 lead.
Fourth Quarter
Kaitlyn Chen scored her first basket of the game by driving in for a layup while Dallas got their first point at the free throw line. Chen was able to get to the basket again on the drive, but the Wings were able to answer. Kaila Charles attacked the basket next to add a point on a free throw as Dallas got closer and then took the lead on a three-pointer. Janelle Salaun made a long-range shot, but had her foot on the line and the Wings got the lead back at the foul line. Charles grabbed a rebound and then was suddenly able to get a path to the rim for a layup. After the media timeout, Dallas made two more free throws and Janelle Salaun made a jumpshot to swing the lead back in the other direction. The Wings took a timeout after Charles ran the floor to get an open layup.
When play resumed, they were able to get to the free throw line by being in the bonus and took a timeout to try to set up a play to take the lead. They missed and Gabby Williams made her first basket of the quarter. Dallas made two more free throws, but Williams got fouled next to match them. The Wings advanced the ball, but went out of bounds trying to drive the baseline and Golden State missed a chance to make it a two-possession game. Dallas scored, but had to foul to extend the game, giving Williams two more free throws. After their final timeout, they were able to tie the score on a three-pointer with the Valkyries getting a chance at a final shot. The inbound pass did not work out and a Golden State foul was called instead with a challenge that was successful overturning it. The resulting jumpball did not leave enough time for a shot and the game went to overtime tied at 93.
Overtime
Dallas scored on the first possession with banked in three-pointer, but Gabby Williams answered immediately with a layup. The Wings scored again as the Valkyries struggled on several trips down the floor. Williams was able to tie the score on a three-pointer and then the officials stopped the game to review what happened after the basket, determining that there were two flagrant fouls. All of the free throws were made as the Valkyries got the ball back after Hayes’s makes. Golden State missed their shot, allowing the Wings to take the lead on a three-pointer. They extended that advantage after two more free throws and the Valkyries were not able to get the basket that they needed, fouling to lengthen the game to get to the final 108-100 margin.
Player of the Game
The award for this game will go to Gabby Williams after another tremendous effort on both ends of the court. It was another big offensive game for her as she has started to become the main option more and more in the crunchtime portion of the season. Her defense will be needed again as the team tries to win a playoff series for the first time.
The Verdict
The Valkyries knew that they would be getting the best effort from the Wings in this game even with the lopsided scoreline from the first game and the success in all of the matchups between the teams this season. There were times when it looked like Golden State had survived the biggest push and were in a position to escape with the win, but Dallas made a number of big plays at key moments to secure the win. The team has to regroup quickly to travel back and get the win at home now with the season on the line.
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