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WNBA playoffs 2026: How the Valkyries advanced to their first semifinals
ESPN • • general
Key Points:
- The No. 2 Golden State Valkyries advanced to the WNBA semifinals for the first time by overcoming a 16-point deficit to defeat the No. 7 Dallas Wings 77-73 in a winner-take-all Game 3.
- Gabby Williams led Golden State with 19 points, including critical 3-pointers during the comeback, while Tiffany Hayes and Veronica Burton contributed 18 and 16 points respectively.
- Golden State will face the No. 3 Las Vegas Aces, the reigning WNBA champions, in a best-of-five semifinal series starting Sunday, relying on their league-best defense that limits opponents to 75.1 points per game.
- The Dallas Wings' season ended, but their progress is notable after rising from near the bottom of the standings in previous years, bolstered by top draft picks Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd, veteran players, and new head coach Jose Fernandez.
