Arike Ogunbowale Scores WNBA Playoff-Record 45 Points as Wings Force Deciding Game 3

Arike Ogunbowale delivered one of the most remarkable postseason performances in WNBA history on Wednesday night, scoring a playoff-record 45 points to lead the Dallas Wings to a 108-100 overtime victory over the Golden State Valkyries.

Facing elimination in Game 2 of their first-round series, the Wings needed a win to keep their season alive. Ogunbowale responded with a record-setting performance that included a game-tying three-pointer in the final seconds of regulation before she continued her scoring burst in overtime.

The victory tied the best-of-three series at 1-1 and set up a decisive Game 3 in San Francisco on Friday.

Arike Ogunbowale Breaks WNBA Playoff Scoring Record

Ogunbowale finished with 45 points, seven rebounds and four assists, shooting 12-of-23 from the field, 5-of-8 from three-point range and 16-of-18 from the free-throw line.

Her 45 points established a new WNBA record for points scored in a single playoff game. It also comfortably surpassed her previous postseason career high of 24 points.

The performance came at a critical moment for Dallas. After losing Game 1 by 24 points, the Wings entered Game 2 needing a victory to prevent the series from ending.

Instead, Ogunbowale produced a career-defining postseason performance.

The Shot That Sent the Game to Overtime

The most important moment arrived with just 4.1 seconds remaining in regulation.

Golden State had built a 93-90 advantage when Ogunbowale created space in the corner and knocked down a difficult three-pointer to tie the game at 93-93.

The shot forced overtime and kept Dallas alive.

Golden State then had a chance to create a final possession, but an inbound sequence resulted in a controversial offensive-foul call against Gabby Williams that was subsequently overturned following a replay challenge. The teams went to a jump ball with three seconds remaining, and the Valkyries were unable to convert a last-second opportunity.

Ogunbowale’s late three ultimately changed the direction of the game.

Ogunbowale Takes Over in Overtime

The Dallas guard did not slow down once overtime began.

She opened the extra period by banking in another three-pointer and later hit another crucial shot that gave Dallas a 103-100 lead with 1:46 remaining.

Ogunbowale scored 11 of Dallas’ 15 points in overtime, according to reports on the game, helping the Wings pull away for the eight-point victory.

Her scoring burst turned a tightly contested game into a Dallas victory and gave the Wings another opportunity to continue their postseason run.

Gabby Williams Leads Valkyries With 36 Points

Golden State also received a huge offensive performance from Gabby Williams, who scored a career-high 36 points in the regular season or playoffs.

Williams finished 12-of-23 from the field and also contributed five rebounds and seven assists. However, she struggled during the closing stretch of overtime, missing all six of her shots in the final 1:31.

Her scoring kept Golden State within striking distance throughout regulation, but the Valkyries were unable to contain Ogunbowale when the game entered its decisive stages.

Alysha Clark Provides Key Support for Dallas

While Ogunbowale dominated the headlines, Dallas received an important contribution from veteran Alysha Clark.

Clark scored 21 points, matching her playoff career high, while helping provide the Wings with another reliable scoring option.

Aziaha James also contributed 13 points, giving Dallas additional production during a game in which rookie star Paige Bueckers struggled offensively.

Bueckers, making her postseason debut, finished with 10 points on 3-of-13 shooting as Golden State’s perimeter defense made scoring difficult for the young guard.

Wings Overcome Game 1 Defeat

The victory was particularly significant because of how the series opened.

Golden State dominated Game 1, winning 104-80 in San Francisco. That result left Dallas one loss away from elimination.

The Wings responded at home by surviving a back-and-forth Game 2 and forcing overtime.

The series is now level at 1-1, meaning Friday’s matchup will determine which team advances from the opening round.

Game 3 Moves Back to San Francisco

The decisive Game 3 will be played Friday in San Francisco.

The Valkyries will return home after winning the opening game of the series there, while Dallas enters the deciding contest after its overtime victory.

Because the series is a best-of-three matchup, there will be no fourth game if one team wins Friday.

The winner will advance to the WNBA semifinals and face either the defending champion Las Vegas Aces or the Indiana Fever.

A Historic Night for Arike Ogunbowale

Ogunbowale’s 45-point performance now stands alone in the WNBA postseason record book.

The game was also a continuation of the guard’s reputation for producing late-game scoring moments. Her tying three-pointer came under intense pressure and immediately became the defining play of a game that had appeared close to slipping away from Dallas.

For the Wings, however, the record matters alongside the larger result: their season remains alive.

After facing elimination, Dallas found a way to extend the series behind its star guard’s historic scoring performance.

Now the Wings and Valkyries will meet one more time, with a spot in the next round on the line.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How many points did Arike Ogunbowale score?

Arike Ogunbowale scored 45 points in Dallas’ 108-100 overtime victory over Golden State.

2. Did Arike Ogunbowale set a WNBA playoff record?

Yes. Her 45 points are the most scored by a player in a single WNBA playoff game.

3. What was the final score between the Wings and Valkyries?

The Dallas Wings defeated the Golden State Valkyries 108-100 in overtime in Game 2.

4. How did Dallas force overtime?

Ogunbowale hit a three-pointer from the corner with 4.1 seconds left in regulation to tie the game at 93-93.

5. How many points did Ogunbowale score in overtime?

Ogunbowale scored 11 of Dallas’ 15 overtime points, helping the Wings pull away from Golden State.

6. How many games are in the Wings-Valkyries first-round series?

The series is a best-of-three matchup. With both teams winning one game, Game 3 will determine who advances.

7. When is Game 3 between Dallas and Golden State?

The deciding Game 3 is scheduled for Friday in San Francisco.

8. How did Paige Bueckers perform in Game 2?

Paige Bueckers scored 10 points on 3-of-13 shooting in her first WNBA playoff appearance.

9. Who led the Valkyries in scoring?

Gabby Williams led Golden State with 36 points, a career high in both the regular season and playoffs.

10. What is at stake in Game 3?

The winner of Game 3 will advance from the first round of the WNBA playoffs to the semifinals.