Valkyries vs. Wings Game 2: Dallas must win to stay alive

Dustin Judge
Bueckers vs Sparks, Dallas Wings vs. Valkyries

Golden State can eliminate the seventh-seeded Dallas Wings on Wednesday night in Arlington. The Valkyries lead 1-0 after a 104-80 rout in Game 1 and need one more win to advance to the semifinals.

Dallas must win Wednesday to stay alive. The biggest question: can the Wings find answers for a Golden State defense that dominated them in Game 1?

Valkyries vs. Wings Game 2 information

  • Date: Wednesday, Sept. 30
  • Time: 9 p.m. ET
  • Venue: College Park Center, Arlington, Texas
  • TV/Streaming: ESPN
  • Series: Golden State leads 1-0, First Round – Game 2

Can Dallas solve Golden State’s defense at home?

Golden State outscored Dallas 37-11 in the second quarter of Game 1, according to the Associated Press. The Valkyries shot 18 for 36 from 3-point range and went 10 for 20 from deep in the first half alone. Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase credited that defensive dominance, saying “When we’re awake we’re ferocious on defense.”

Dallas will get a change of scenery in Arlington, where it hopes the home crowd reverses a stretch in which Golden State has now won all four meetings between the teams in 2026, per CBS Sports. The Wings won seven of their final eight regular-season games to earn the seventh seed but that momentum evaporated in Game 1.

What does Paige Bueckers need from her supporting cast?

Paige Bueckers shot 9 for 10 for 21 points in Game 1, with 7 of 8 coming in the first half. She got little help as Dallas trailed by 27 at halftime. Jessica Shepard, the Wings’ leading rebounder at 11.1 per game, will need to control the interior against a Golden State frontcourt that dominated the glass.

Who is available for each team?

Golden State is missing center Iliana Rupert, who is out for a reason unrelated to injury, according to official league data. The Valkyries otherwise enter healthy after their regular-season-best offensive showing in Game 1.

Dallas is down three players. Forward Alanna Smith is out with a left lower leg injury, guard Azzi Fudd remains out following knee surgery and guard Costanza Verona is out for personal reasons, per official injury designations.

Who is expected to start?

Golden State is projected to start Cecilia Zandalasini, Gabby Williams, Veronica Burton and Kiah Stokes. Zandalasini led Game 1 with 22 points on 7-for-11 shooting with four 3-pointers. Williams is the team’s leading scorer at 14.4 per game; Burton leads the roster with 5.7 assists and 12.2 overall rating; Stokes tops the team at 5.8 rebounds per game. Bench scoring also proved crucial in Game 1—Tiffany Hayes contributed 21 points off the bench and Kayla Thornton added 10.

Bueckers is the clear focal point after her 21-point Game 1 performance, shooting 9 for 10. She will start alongside Shepard, who averaged 11.1 rebounds per game in the regular season. Smith, Fudd and Verona’s absences leave Dallas thinner than the depth chart that closed the regular season.

Valkyries’ offensive balance vs. Wings’ single-threat problem

Golden State’s Game 1 explosion came from multiple directions. Beyond Zandalasini’s 22 and Williams’ 20, the bench provided 31 points combined. Veronica Burton, the team’s assist leader, ran the offense effectively as the Valkyries moved the ball with precision.

Dallas’ biggest vulnerability was clear: Bueckers carried the offensive load while teammates struggled. Going 6 for 20 from 3-point range as a team exposed the Wings’ lack of secondary scorers. Without Fudd healthy, Dallas must find more production from the wings and frontcourt.

Rebound battle crucial in Arlington

Golden State dominated the glass in Game 1, a difference that often decides playoff games. Kiah Stokes will be critical on the boards for the Valkyries, especially with Rupert unavailable. Jessica Shepard, Dallas’ rebounding anchor at 11.1 per game, must anchor the interior and keep Golden State off the offensive glass.

What’s next

A Golden State win Wednesday advances the No. 2 seed to the semifinals. If Dallas wins, Game 3 returns to Chase Center in San Francisco on Friday, where the Valkyries held a sellout crowd in their home playoff debut.

Reporting from CBS Sports, ESPN, The Associated Press and Sporting News contributed to this story. Official statistics: ESPN (official league data).

Dustin Judge is the Founder and CEO of Total Apex Media, bringing more than 20 years of writing and editorial experience to the company's growing network of digital publications. He specializes in sports, sports betting, fantasy sports, and digital publishing, with a focus on producing accurate, timely, and engaging content for readers. Dustin oversees editorial strategy, content development, and publishing operations across Total Apex Media while remaining actively involved in sports, betting, and fantasy sports coverage.