‘Fix your referees’- Fans react as Valkyries erase 16-point deficit to beat Wings 77-73

WNBA fans have reacted after the Golden State Valkyries erased a 16-point deficit to beat the Dallas Wings 77-73 in a dramatic Game 3 and advance to the semifinals.

Dallas appeared to be in control after a 20-0 run across the second and third quarters put the Wings 16 points ahead. However, Golden State turned the game around late to secure its first playoff series victory in franchise history.

Arike Ogunbowale led Dallas with 30 points, while Paige Bueckers added 17 despite shooting just 3-of-14 from the field. Gabby Williams led the Valkyries with 19 points, with Veronica Burton adding 16.

The Valkyries trailed 67-52 before launching their comeback, eventually taking control in the closing stages. Dallas missed its final five attempts from the field after leading 72-67 with 3:13 remaining.

Williams then hit the go-ahead jumper with 1:17 left before Golden State closed out the victory from the free-throw line.

The dramatic finish sparked plenty of debate online, particularly around the officiating.

One fan wrote, “FIX YOUR REF. Always the ref that dictates the game 😂”

Another celebrated the comeback, posting, “Wow so dramatic and what a comeback!! Let’s go Valkyries.”

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There was also a request for a potential Valkyries-Dream matchup: “Give me a Valkyries and Dream finals please.”

However, another supporter was unhappy with how the game was officiated, writing, “A win handed to them on a silver platter by that officiating crew. That Aces belt is on the way though so we move.”

One reaction appeared to reference Golden State’s progress, saying, “Golden State is moving on! What a series, winning it 2-1!”

Another focused on Dallas’ leading scorer, writing, “Arike was the only one who wanted it. Ig Paige and Jess had other plans and has already booked their flight to Cancun smh”

Golden State now moves on to face the Las Vegas Aces in the WNBA semifinals, with Game 1 scheduled for Sunday in San Francisco. The Aces eliminated the Indiana Fever in their first-round series.

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