SAN FRANCISCO — The Dallas Wings’ season came down to the final minutes Friday night, but a late Golden State rally ended their playoff run.
The Wings fell 77-73 to the Golden State Valkyries in Game 3 of their WNBA first-round series before a sold-out crowd at Chase Center. The loss dropped Dallas to 27-17 on the season, while Golden State improved to 32-12 and advanced to the next round of the playoffs.
Dallas appeared to have control of the game early in the second half, building a 16-point lead. But the Valkyries steadily chipped away at the deficit and turned the game into a tense finish.
Arike Ogunbowale led the Wings with 30 points, continuing her strong postseason stretch. Paige Bueckers added 17 points and six assists, while Dallas struggled to find enough offense down the stretch.
The Wings held a five-point lead with just over three minutes remaining, but Golden State finished the game with a decisive closing run. Dallas was unable to regain the lead as the Valkyries made the key plays needed to secure the victory.
The loss brings an end to a breakthrough season for the Wings, who finished 27-17 and pushed their first-round series to a decisive Game 3 after facing elimination.
For Dallas, the season ends four points short of a trip to the next round.
