It was a record-setting night for Arike Ogunbowale as she delivered a gigantic performance to keep the Dallas Wings’ season alive Wednesday night.
Ogunbowale scored a WNBA playoff-record 45 points as the Wings defeated the Golden State Valkyries 108-100 in overtime in Game 2 of their first-round series. Her performance forced a deciding Game 3 on Friday in San Francisco.
The four-time All-Star hit a contested, off-balance 3-pointer with 4.1 seconds left in regulation to tie the game at 93. The shot came after Paige Bueckers found Ogunbowale in the corner.
When asked about her ability to make shots as the clock winds down, Ogunbowale had a straightaway mic-drop quote.
“I don't know, I just, I guess. I like when the time is going down. I don't know,” Ogunbowale said.
Article Continues Below"I guess I like when the time is going down."
Arike Ogunbowale speaks on the clutch shots that she made in Game 2 🗣️
(via @espnW) pic.twitter.com/zfMS3LjNUy
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) October 1, 2026
Ogunbowale then opened overtime with another 3-pointer, banking it in as the shot clock expired. She later hit another 3 to give Dallas a 103-100 lead with 1:46 remaining. The Wings held on for the eight-point victory.
Her 45 points surpassed her previous playoff career high of 24. She also shot 12 of 23 from the field and made five 3-pointers. Gabby Williams added a career-high 36 points for Dallas, while Alysha Clark tied her playoff career high with 21 points. Bueckers struggled in her postseason debut, finishing with 10 points on 3-of-13 shooting.
Golden State had won Game 1 by 24 points, but Dallas responded to force a winner-take-all matchup. The Valkyries are seeking their first playoff series victory in franchise history.
Game 3 will be played Friday night in San Francisco, where Golden State won the series opener. The winner will advance to face either the Las Vegas Aces or the Indiana Fever.