Ogunbowale scores WNBA playoff-record 45 as Wings beat Valkyries in overtime

Dallas Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale scored a WNBA playoff-record 45 points Wednesday night, and the Wings beat the Golden State Valkyries 108-100 in overtime to force a deciding Game 3 in their first-round series, according to the WNBA and ESPN. [1][5]

The WNBA said in a post on X that Ogunbowale also had seven rebounds, five three-pointers, four assists and three steals. Alysha Clark added 21 points for Dallas on 6-of-7 shooting. [1]

With Dallas trailing by three in the final seconds of regulation, Ogunbowale hit a corner three-pointer off a pass from Paige Bueckers to tie the game, ESPN reported. The Wings were facing elimination. Ogunbowale opened overtime with a banked three-pointer and hit another to put Dallas ahead for good at 103-100 with 1:46 left. [5]

The Valkyries did not score again in overtime and shot 2-of-12 in the extra period, ESPN reported. Golden State's Gabby Williams had a career-high 36 points but missed all six of her shots in the final 1:31 of overtime. [5]

Ogunbowale, a four-time All-Star, said after the game that the Wings had felt pushed around in Game 1, which Golden State won by 24 points. "I was going to shoot regardless because I just feel like seven shots isn't enough to win playoffs and I have to be aggressive whether it's going in or not," Ogunbowale said. [5]

Bueckers shot 3-of-13 and finished with 10 points and four assists. Wings coach Jose Fernandez said other players stepped up. Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase said her team did not play its best and must be ready for the home game. [5]

Game 3 is Friday at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN2 in San Francisco. The winner faces the winner of Thursday's Indiana Fever-Las Vegas Aces Game 3 in the semifinals, which open Sunday, according to ESPN. [6]