One win separates the Golden State Valkyries from the WNBA Finals, and it has to come on the defending champions' floor.
Game 3 tipoff is 6:30 p.m. Pacific on Friday at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas, with Peacock and NBC Sports Network carrying the broadcast, the team's Game 3 preview said. Golden State leads the best-of-five semifinal series 2-0 after an 83-81 Game 2 win Wednesday at Chase Center.
The Associated Press noted the Valkyries would be reaching the Finals in just their second season; they were already the first expansion team in league history to make the playoffs in their inaugural year.
Las Vegas must win Friday and Sunday's potential Game 4 to force a decisive Game 5. Becky Hammon put the math without soft edges after Game 2: "I can't convince them that this is not a must-win, because if we lose we go home," she said, per the AP.
How the series got to a clinching chance
Wednesday's finish supplies the only setup needed. Veronica Burton hit a deep three that put Golden State ahead with 41.5 seconds left, the Valkyries' site and the AP both reported, then made free throws in the closing seconds. Tiffany Hayes led Golden State with 21 points off the bench; Gabby Williams scored 20. A'ja Wilson had 24 for Las Vegas.
In the final scramble, Jackie Young missed the second of two free throws with six seconds left, Chelsea Gray grabbed the rebound and drove for a layup, and Kiah Stokes blocked the attempt, the AP wrote. Burton secured the loose ball. Natalie Nakase called the closing group "multiple closers" afterward, the Valkyries' recap said.
Game 1 had already put Golden State in front 71-60. The series has not yet asked the Valkyries to win a road playoff game in Las Vegas. That is Friday's entire assignment.
