ARLINGTON, TEXAS: Gabby Williams had her best game as a Valkyrie. The bad news is that it didn’t matter. Arike Ogunbowale put on a show on Wednesday night when the Wings’ season was on the line. A masterclass of a performance.
Perhaps Ogunbowale’s biggest shot of the night was in the final seconds of regulation with the Valkyries up three.
She dribbled toward the corner and hit an off-balance corner 3-pointer with Williams guarding her, which sent the game to overtime and her on the way to a WNBA playoff record performance. 45 points, including 22 points in the fourth quarter and overtime. 11 a piece in each period.
Simply spectacular hoops.
When overtime began, Ogunbowale banked in a three and then hit another one to give Dallas the lead and the game. The Valkyries struggled in overtime, shooting 2-12 from the field, and the Wings won a thriller 108-100 to force Game 3 on Friday night in San Francisco.
The four-time WNBA all-star showed up for her team when they needed her most. “We felt like we got pushed around out there when we played in San Francisco, and especially me, personally, I don’t feel like I was aggressive,” Ogunbowale said. “I didn’t know what I would score. I was going to shoot regardless because I just feel like seven shots isn’t enough to win playoffs, and I have to be aggressive whether it’s going in or not.”
Gabby Williams had an incredible performance with 36 points, a career high for her in the regular season or playoffs. But she missed all six of her shots in the final 1:31 of overtime to finish 12-of-23 from the field.
The combined scoring performances from Williams and Ogunbowale made it just the third time in WNBA postseason history that two opposing players have both scored at least 35 points in the same game.
Kaila Charles finished with 14 points, and Kayla Thornton had 13 points for the Valkyries.
Game 3 for all the marbles is on Friday night at Chase Center in San Francisco. Tip-off is at 6 PM PST on ESPN2.
The Valkyries’ hunt for their first ever postseason series win will have to wait until Friday.
“We got one at home, and we got to bring our best,” Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase said. “That was not our best. Tomorrow’s got to be clear minds, clear focus, and a clear game plan, and then be ready to go for the game at home.”
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