Gabby Williams Leads Valkyries' Epic Comeback Past Wings Into WNBA Semis
ESPN · October 3, 2026
Key takeaways
- The Golden State Valkyries rallied from a 16-point deficit to beat the Dallas Wings 77-73 in a decisive Game 3.
- Gabby Williams delivered clutch shooting down the stretch, cementing her 'Big Shot Gabby' reputation.
- The win gives Golden State its first-ever playoff series victory and a trip to the WNBA semifinals.
The Comeback Nobody Saw Coming Down 16 points against the Dallas Wings in a win-or-go-home Game 3, the Golden State Valkyries looked like they were headed for an early playoff exit. Instead, they clawed back behind a takeover performance from Gabby Williams and stunned Dallas 77-73 to win their first-ever playoff series 2-1.
Big Shot Gabby Shows Up When It Matters Williams has earned the nickname "Big Shot Gabby" for a reason, and she lived up to it again. In the biggest moments of the fourth quarter, with the Valkyries clawing back from a double-digit hole, she hit the shots that shifted momentum and silenced a rowdy road crowd. It's the kind of performance that turns a solid regular-season player into a playoff legend overnight.
Why This Series Mattered Golden State is one of the WNBA's newest franchises, and expansion teams aren't supposed to be competing for playoff series wins in year one — let alone pulling off a 16-point comeback to do it. This win shows the Valkyries aren't just happy to be in the postseason. They're built to compete, and their culture of resilience under pressure is becoming their calling card.
What's Next With the series win locked up, Golden State advances to the WNBA semifinals, where a tougher test awaits. The Valkyries will need to prove this comeback wasn't a one-off spark but a sign of what this roster can do against the league's best. For Dallas, it's a disappointing end to a season that showed real promise, but the Wings will have questions to answer about their fourth-quarter execution after blowing a big lead.
The Bigger Picture This game is a reminder of why WNBA playoff basketball has become must-watch TV. Expansion teams making noise, double-digit comebacks, and a breakout star hitting big shots on the road — it's the kind of storyline that builds new fanbases fast. Keep an eye on Williams and the Valkyries; this postseason run could be the start of something bigger for the franchise.
Why it matters
This is a signature moment for one of the WNBA's newest franchises, proving expansion teams can compete deep into the postseason. For fans following the league's growth, it's a storyline worth tracking heading into the semifinals.
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