It was the end of the road for the 2026 WNBA season for Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings after losing a crucial first-round Game 3 to the Golden State Valkyries. Wings’ season ended with a 77-73 loss to the Valkyries on Friday.
During the postgame presser, Bueckers struggled to hold back her emotions as she addressed reporters. The two-time WNBA All-Star became emotional during the interaction as Dallas fell short after leading by 16 points in the second half.
The Wings were unable to protect their advantage as Golden State completed the comeback and advanced to the WNBA semifinals where they will play against the mighty Las Vegas Aces.
Bueckers finished with 17 points, six assists, two steals and two blocks. She shot 3-for-14 from the field and went scoreless in the fourth quarter. Arike Ogunbowale led Dallas with 30 points and five rebounds, but the Wings could not hold off Golden State late.
Golden State’s defense played a major role in that decline. Kaila Charles, Tiffany Hayes and Gabby Williams were among the Valkyries' defenders who made Bueckers work for nearly every opportunity.
Dallas still carried a 44-37 lead into halftime and extended the advantage to 53-37 early in the third quarter before Golden State began its comeback. The Valkyries eventually tied the game at 65, then took the lead before Williams delivered the decisive basket. Her jumper with 1:17 remaining put Golden State ahead for good.
Despite the playoff struggles, Bueckers had a strong second WNBA season. She averaged 20.9 points, 5.9 assists, and 4.1 rebounds while shooting 51.2% from the field, 41% from 3-point range, and 87.1% from the free-throw line.