Arike Ogunbowale’s 45-Point Explosion Propels Dallas Wings Past Golden State Valkyries in Game 3 WNBA Playoff Thriller

The Dallas Wings travel to San Francisco tonight to face the red-hot Golden State Valkyries in a marquee WNBA matchup that could reshape the playoff picture. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. PT at Chase Center, with the Valkyries opening as 6.5-point favorites and the total sitting at 159.5 points. Why this game matters • Golden State (25-9) has already clinched a postseason berth but is chasing the league’s top seed after stringing together six straight victories, capped by a 78-70 win over these same Wings on Aug. 18. • Dallas (20-16) holds the sixth spot but sits just one game ahead of a crowded pack; a road upset would give the Wings the season tiebreaker and critical cushion with four games left. Key matchups to watch 1. Paige Bueckers vs. Arike Ogunbowale – Bueckers poured in 24 points in the last meeting, while Ogunbowale struggled to 6-for-19 shooting. Expect Dallas to free its leading scorer with more off-ball screens tonight. 2. Interior battle – Golden State’s rookie center Aaliyah Boston dominated the glass (11 rebounds) in August; Wings forward Teaira McCowan must neutralize second-chance points to keep Dallas close. 3. Pace control – The Wings average 83 possessions per game, third-fastest in the league, but the Valkyries’ half-court efficiency (1.04 points per play) makes every turnover costly. Injury report Neither club listed new injuries at Friday’s shoot-around, though Dallas continues to monitor Satou Sabally’s minutes after her recent ankle tweak. Betting trends • Valkyries are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 home games. • Under has cashed in five of the Wings’ past six road contests. • Dallas is 1-4 straight-up in its last five head-to-heads with Golden State, losing by an average of 8.8 points. How to watch and stream The game airs nationally on ESPN2 and streams on the WNBA League Pass app. Local radio coverage is available on 95.7 FM The Game (Bay Area) and 103.3 FM ESPN Dallas. Projected starting lineups Wings: G Ogunbowale, G Veronica Burton, F Satou Sabally, F McCowan, C Kalani Brown Valkyries: G Bueckers, G Kelsey Mitchell, F Gabby Williams, F Cameron Brink, C Boston Prediction Golden State’s balanced scoring and defensive length have stifled Dallas twice this season, and home-court energy should keep the momentum rolling. Valkyries 85, Wings 76. Search-friendly takeaway Fans looking for “Wings vs Valkyries odds,” “WNBA prediction,” and “how to watch Dallas Wings at Golden State Valkyries” will find tonight’s clash decisive for playoff seeding and packed with star power.