The Golden State Valkyries celebrated a 74-57 victory over the Connecticut Sun on Monday night as veteran guard Tiffany Hayes made history by surpassing Sheryl Swoopes for 31st place on the <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/basketball/wnba/”>WNBA’s all-time scoring list with a first-quarter layup. Hayes, a 13-year veteran and a 5-foot-10 shooting guard from UConn, finished the game with 17 points, energizing the home crowd at San Francisco’s Chase Center in the team’s inaugural season.
Building a Diverse and Experienced Valkyries Roster
General Manager Ohemaa Nyanin and the Valkyries’ management assembled a unique roster that combines young talents with seasoned players from across the WNBA and international leagues. Much of the team was formed during the expansion draft in December, while Hayes joined the Bay Area as a free agent in February, adding veteran leadership to the newly created franchise.
Despite wearing protective headgear due to a previous nose injury, Hayes contributed significantly with five rebounds and four assists in addition to her scoring, proving to be an all-around presence on the court. The Valkyries now hold a 16-15 record, climbing above .500 and approaching a historic milestone as the first WNBA expansion team to reach the playoffs in its debut season.
Multiple Players Shine in a Balanced Team Effort
The Valkyries’ win featured four players scoring in double digits, including key contributors Janelle Salaün, Cecilia Zandalasini, and center Iliana Rupert. These standout performances have demonstrated the team’s growing cohesion and promise as they push toward securing a postseason berth.
Teammate Kate Martin Expresses Pride After Hayes’ Historic Achievement
Kate Martin, a former teammate of Hayes from Las Vegas and a recent expansion draft pick, has experienced limited minutes this season but remained inspired by Hayes’ milestone. After the game, Martin shared a short but heartfelt message on social media by reposting Hayes’ interview with CBS Bay Area, captioning it simply with three words:
“Proud of youuu,” she wrote.
Hayes Honors Sheryl Swoopes’ Legacy and Reflects on Team Goals
Following the game, Hayes acknowledged the significance of passing a WNBA legend like Sheryl Swoopes, stating,
“That’s a legend. Shout out to Sheryl Swoopes. It means a lot. I appreciate anybody that comes before me, but that’s definitely dope. I appreciate that.”
Regarding the Valkyries’ progress this season, Hayes expressed optimism about the team’s goal of making the playoffs:
Very excited, man. [Making the WNBA Playoffs] is one of our goals this season, and I think we have been on the up and up… Just day by day trying to reach our goals.
Looking Ahead: Playoff Push Intensifies
With under a month left in the regular season, the Valkyries currently sit in seventh place in the standings and aim to extend a two-game winning streak when they face the Washington Mystics on Wednesday night. The team’s encouraging performance and Hayes’ historic achievement mark an important chapter in the franchise’s history and could inspire a powerful finish to their debut season.
Reported by Anwar Stetson, a Multimedia Sports Journalist based in Los Angeles, who covers the WNBA for The Sporting Tribune and maintains extensive experience in sports media and storytelling.