WNBA Scores October 2, 2026: Valkyries Rally Past Wings in Game 3
WNBA scores for October 2, 2026, with Valkyries-Wings Game 3 recap, top performers, turning point and updated playoff standings.
The WNBA scores for October 2, 2026 produced a comeback worthy of a winner-take-all playoff game. The Golden State Valkyries erased a 16-point third-quarter deficit and defeated the Dallas Wings 77-73 at Chase Center, clinching their first playoff-series victory and the final place in the WNBA semifinals.
Gabby Williams scored 17 of her team-high 19 points after halftime and delivered the go-ahead basket with 1:17 remaining. Golden State finished the game on a 10-1 run, turning another memorable performance by Arike Ogunbowale into a heartbreaking end to Dallas’ season.
WNBA Scoreboard — October 2, 2026
- Golden State Valkyries 77, Dallas Wings 73 — Golden State wins series 2-1
Golden State Valkyries 77, Dallas Wings 73
Williams Leads a Historic Valkyries Comeback
Golden State survived one of its coldest offensive stretches of the season. The Valkyries missed their first nine shots of the third quarter and trailed 53-37 after Dallas extended a 20-0 run across halftime.
Williams changed the game after a quiet first half. She finished with 19 points, hit two important third-quarter 3-pointers and scored Golden State’s final eight points. Her pull-up jumper from 17 feet gave the Valkyries the lead for good with 1:17 remaining.
Veronica Burton supplied a vital all-around performance with 16 points, 10 rebounds and six assists. Tiffany Hayes added 18 points off the bench, while Kiah Stokes collected 13 rebounds. Kaila Charles also delivered a tying 3-pointer midway through the fourth quarter.
Ogunbowale led Dallas with 30 points on 11-of-21 shooting, two nights after setting a WNBA playoff record with 45 points. Paige Bueckers scored 17 points and handed out six assists, but she made only 3 of 14 shots from the field. She stayed productive by going 10-for-10 at the free-throw line.
Key Statistics
Dallas shot 44.1% from the field compared with Golden State’s 35.1%, but the Valkyries created enough extra possessions to overcome the shooting gap. Golden State won the rebounding battle 50-40, including a 14-6 advantage on the offensive glass.
The Valkyries also committed only six turnovers, four fewer than the Wings. Over the final 18:02, Golden State’s defense held Dallas to 20 points on 6-of-21 shooting and forced four turnovers.
Turning Point
Dallas still led 72-67 after Ogunbowale’s difficult jumper with 3:13 remaining. From there, Golden State closed on a 10-1 run.
Williams drove the comeback, first cutting the margin and then burying the go-ahead pull-up with 1:17 left. The final swing came with 13.1 seconds remaining. Officials initially awarded possession to Dallas after Williams’ missed layup, but Golden State coach Natalie Nakase challenged the ruling. Replay showed Williams had saved the ball inbounds, allowing the Valkyries to retain possession and force Dallas to foul.
Williams made four late free throws, and Bueckers’ final 3-point attempt missed. The comeback was complete.
Star of the Game: Gabby Williams
19 points, 17 after halftime, go-ahead basket and four closing free throws
Williams did not simply lead Golden State in scoring. She took control when the Valkyries faced elimination, supplied the decisive shot and handled the pressure at the foul line. Her second-half response defined the franchise’s first playoff-series victory.
Updated WNBA Playoff Standings After October 2
The first round is complete. These are the final series records and current playoff status for all eight postseason teams:
- New York Liberty — 2-0 (advanced to semifinals)
- Atlanta Dream — 2-0 (advanced to semifinals)
- Golden State Valkyries — 2-1 (advanced to semifinals)
- Las Vegas Aces — 2-1 (advanced to semifinals)
- Dallas Wings — 1-2 (eliminated)
- Indiana Fever — 1-2 (eliminated)
- Minnesota Lynx — 0-2 (eliminated)
- Washington Mystics — 0-2 (eliminated)
WNBA Semifinal Matchups Are Set
Golden State will face the defending champion Las Vegas Aces in a best-of-five semifinal beginning Sunday at Chase Center. The Valkyries earned home-court advantage as the No. 2 seed, although Las Vegas won all three regular-season meetings.
The other semifinal sends the eighth-seeded New York Liberty against the fourth-seeded Atlanta Dream. New York eliminated top-seeded Minnesota in two games, while Atlanta swept Washington.
Golden State enters the next round with a clear identity. Even when its 3-point-heavy offense failed to produce, the league’s best regular-season defense, relentless rebounding and low turnover count kept the game within reach. Williams, Burton and Hayes then made the biggest plays when the season reached its breaking point.
Dallas exits after a significant step forward and a competitive three-game series. Ogunbowale scored 75 points across the final two games, and Bueckers gained valuable postseason experience. Still, Golden State’s defense and second-chance opportunities decided the final minutes.
