WNBA playoff winners and losers include Valkyries defense, Paige Bueckers
The Golden State Valkyries punched the final ticket to the party with a 77-72 victory over the Dallas Wings on Friday. Here are the winners and losers.
The Golden State Valkyries secured their place in the WNBA playoffs as they defeated the Dallas Wings 77-72 in Game 3, clinching a spot in the semifinals series against the Las Vegas Aces. All-star point guard Gabby Williams led the Valkyries to victory, scoring 19 points, including eight in the final minutes to seal the win. She also hit four crucial three-pointers, contributing to her career-best 34.2% from beyond the arc.
The Valkyries' defense, which struggled in Game 2, shined in the final quarter, limiting the Wings to just 14 points while scoring 10 themselves. In contrast, the Dallas Wings saw their star player Paige Bueckers struggle offensively, finishing with 17 points and six assists on just 3-of-14 shooting, including just 1-of-4 from the three-point line.
Despite the loss, Bueckers' coach, Jose Fernandez, refused to let the result impact her year, emphasizing her importance to the team. The Wings' bench also underperformed, contributing only 10 points, while the Valkyries' bench, led by Tiffany Hayes, contributed 18 points.
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