Tip-off: 9:00 PM ET / 6:00 PM PT
Venue: Chase Center, San Francisco, California
TV: ESPN2
This is a winner-take-all Game 3 of a best-of-three series tied 1-1. The No. 2-seeded Valkyries (regular season 32-12, strong home mark of 17-5) host the No. 7 Wings (27-17). Golden State dominated Game 1 at home 104-80. Dallas responded with a 108-100 overtime win in Game 2 behind Arike Ogunbowale’s WNBA playoff-record 45 points.
Current Rosters (key active players)
Dallas Wings: Paige Bueckers (G), Arike Ogunbowale (G), Jessica Shepard (F, MIP winner with elite rebounding/triple-double production), Odyssey Sims (G), Alysha Clark (F), Maddy Siegrist (F), Awak Kuier (F, GTD wrist), Haley Jones, Li Yueru (C), Aziaha James, Kitija Laksa, and others. Head coach: Jose Fernandez.
Golden State Valkyries: Gabby Williams (F), Veronica Burton (G), Kayla Thornton (F), Kiah Stokes (C), Cecilia Zandalasini (F), Tiffany Hayes (G), Janelle Salaün (F), Kaila Charles (G/F), Kaitlyn Chen (G), Laeticia Amihere (F), and others (developmental players available). Head coach: Natalie Nakase. Iliana Rupert is out for the season (pregnancy/not injury-related).
Injury Reports
Dallas: Alanna Smith (F) – Out (lower leg, no timetable). Azzi Fudd (G) – Out for season (knee). Costanza Verona (G) – Out (personal). Awak Kuier (F) – Game-time decision (wrist; listed probable/GTD for Game 3).
Golden State: Iliana Rupert (C) – Out for season (not injury-related/pregnancy). No other significant injuries reported.
Key Player Matchups
Arike Ogunbowale vs. Gabby Williams / Valkyries perimeter defense: Ogunbowale exploded for a playoff-record 45 points (12-23 FG, 5-8 3PT, 16-18 FT) in Game 2 after a quieter Game 1. Williams responded with 36 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists, and 4 steals in the loss—a historic playoff line. Can Golden State’s elite defense contain Ogunbowale’s scoring bursts without fouling?
Paige Bueckers vs. Veronica Burton: Bueckers (regular season ~20.9 PPG, 5.9 APG, 4.1 RPG) scored 21 on high efficiency in Game 1 but was held to 10 points (3-13) in Game 2 while still contributing elsewhere. Burton is a top defensive guard and playmaker (~12.2 PPG, 5.7 APG regular season). This matchup will heavily influence tempo and ball movement.
Jessica Shepard vs. Kayla Thornton / Kiah Stokes: Shepard (strong rebounding, MIP) anchors Dallas inside. Golden State’s length and defensive identity (league-best defensive rating and points allowed) will try to limit second-chance opportunities.
Supporting casting: Alysha Clark’s shooting/veteran presence for Dallas vs. Zandalasini, Hayes, and Thornton’s balanced scoring and three-point volume for Golden State.
Recent Team Forms
Dallas: 7-3 in last 10 regular-season games; playoff results L (Game 1), W OT (Game 2). High-octane offense (89.4 PPG regular season) but vulnerable on the road and against elite defense. Momentum from the OT thriller and Ogunbowale’s heroics.
Golden State: Excellent regular-season form (32-12, 7-3 last 10), elite defense (fewest points allowed, top defensive rating). Dominant Game 1 home win, then OT collapse in Game 2. Strong at Chase Center. Balanced scoring and turnover creation remain strengths.
Series History / Head-to-Head
Golden State swept the regular-season series 3-0 (including wins by double digits in some) and took Game 1 of the playoffs 104-80. Dallas finally broke through with the Game 2 OT victory—its first win in the season series. Overall, Valkyries have controlled the matchup with superior defense and home success; Wings have never won at Chase Center entering Game 3.
Betting Trends
Valkyries strong ATS as home favorites recently. High totals in series games so far (184 in Game 1, 208 in OT Game 2). Public often leans toward the higher seed/home favorite. Dallas covered in the Game 2 upset after heavy regular-season underdog results vs. GS. covers.com
GAME ODDS
Dallas Wings 158
Golden State Valkyries – 8
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, October 1, 2026
