The Golden State Valkyries have been better than what their 2-5 record suggests. They started strong with 2 big wins, letting the league know that inaugural teams did not always start on a low. Against the Phoenix Mercury, too, they put up a fight, managing an 8-point lead with 4 minutes left. But, indeed, it hasn’t all been going their way.
On Thursday, they were outperformed by Satou Sabally and Lexi Held, who put up a combined 16 points, matching the entire Valkyries squad in the fourth quarter. They conceded 18 points while scoring just one of their own in the last four minutes. And just like that, they had recorded a 4th consecutive loss. So now, Natalie Nakase needs some good news regarding veteran Tiffany Hayes prior to their next game against the Aces. Because they have a real chance at making a statement there.
What is Tiffany Hayes’ injury status
Hayes has had two injuries so far this season. The first came against the Mystics, where she injured her nose after taking an arm to her face. Following the same, she was sidelined for 3 games before making her return against the Minnesota Lynx while wearing a face mask. But her time on the court did not last long. She re-injured her nose after going down hard about 4 minutes before halftime. Dealing with two consecutive injuries, Hayes is ruled out for the game against the Aces.
Tiffany Hayes (nose) ruled out for Saturday.
— Underdog WNBA (@UnderdogWNBA) June 7, 2025
The veteran guard has managed to play just one full game so far this season. Despite the setback, her presence and impact in the game against Mystics were undeniable. She played a pivotal role in leading the Valkyries to the first win in franchise history, setting the tone for what she brings to the team both on and off the court.
“Her going down that’s a big part of our team but I just told the girls we’ve got to step up, the next person has to step up and we did that tonight,” Kayla Thornton said. “I’m blessed, I’m grateful. That win was for Tiff and also for the fans. Our first win, it’s just the beginning.”
Things have taken a downward turn for the Valkyries since their back-to-back wins over the Mystics and the Sparks. They’ll be hoping for Tiffany Hayes to return in time for Tuesday’s rematch with the Sparks, as they look to regain momentum and make meaningful strides in their inaugural season.
How has Hayes’ absence impacted the Valkyries?
The Valkyries have been better than expected so far this season, but they could have been better. Their most experienced player, Hayes, has been on the sidelines for the majority of the time as their first-time head coach and the inexperienced side has been stumbling through the unknown waters of the WNBA.
In her three appearances this season, Hayes had already shown why the Aces had convinced her to postpone retirement. She averaged 10.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in just over 19 minutes per game, with clean shooting splits that included 100 percent from the free-throw line, 38.5 percent from the field, and 30 percent from beyond the arc.
Tactically, she was to become a glue player for head coach Natalie Nakase. A stabilizing second unit that brought pace in transition and added defensive pressure on the perimeter. Her ability to create off the dribble, knock down timely shots, and compete on the boards made her an ideal fit for a system built on speed, spacing, and positional flexibility.
Her absence has been felt, as the Valkyries are among the worst attacking teams in the league, with 91.7 points scored per 100 possessions, ranking 12th in the league. The highest-scoring player has been Veronica Burton with 12.6 points per game which is still a point less than Hayes’ career average. So it is an obvious miss for Nakase & co. More so, with her 12 years of experience.
Although Hayes will not be on the court against her former team, she will continue to guide from the sidelines. Head coach Natalie Nakase will also bring an added edge to the matchup, as her three seasons as an assistant with the Aces give her valuable insight into their system and personnel.
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