Tiffany Hayes' Season-High 22 Points Propels Valkyries Past Sky 91-71
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The Golden State Valkyries continued their remarkable debut season, riding a deep bench and tenacious defense to overcome an early deficit and beat the Chicago Sky 91-71 on Wednesday night in San Francisco. The victory marked the team's fifth straight win and solidified their position as a contender in the WNBA standings.
Tiffany Hayes, coming off the bench, ignited the Valkyries with a season-high 22 points, shooting efficiently while also grabbing six rebounds and dishing five assists. Her energy proved infectious, especially during a pivotal third-quarter stretch when Golden State turned a tight game into a blowout. Hayes also pilfered three steals, contributing to a franchise-record 16 thefts by the Valkyries.
Veronica Burton provided a steady hand with 13 points and six rebounds, while Kaila Charles added 15 points and five rebounds off the bench. Gabby Williams contributed 13 points, rounding out a balanced scoring attack that saw five players reach double figures. The Valkyries (24-9) have now won 14 of their last 16 games and are on the verge of clinching a playoff berth, a stunning achievement for a team that entered the league as an expansion franchise in 2025. If they win their next game, they will become the first expansion team in WNBA history to qualify for the postseason during its inaugural season.
Head coach Natalie Nakase praised her team's resilience after a slow start. "We didn't panic when we fell behind early," Nakase said. "We have confidence in our depth and our defensive system. Tiffany came in and gave us a huge spark, and our bench unit was phenomenal."
Golden State was without starting center Kiah Stokes, who is in the concussion protocol, and top reserve Janelle Salaun, sidelined by right knee soreness. Despite those absences, the Valkyries' defense clamped down after halftime, limiting Chicago to just 29 points in the second half.
For the Sky, Kamilla Cardoso was a bright spot, scoring 20 points on 7-of-13 shooting and pulling down seven rebounds. But Chicago's offense stalled after a fast start, when Courtney Vandersloot made her first three shots. She failed to score again after halftime, finishing with six points and four assists. Rachel Banham contributed 11 points and four rebounds off the bench, but the Sky (14-19) dropped their fourth game in five outings.
The game also carried a subplot involving DiJonai Carrington, who finished with just three points on 1-of-9 shooting. Carrington was playing her second road game since being ejected with a Flagrant 2 foul on Sophie Cunningham during a 90-86 home loss to Indiana on Saturday. After that game, Carrington posted "WHITE PRIVILEGE" on social media and tagged the Fever. She later clarified that she did not claim the foul was racially motivated. Carrington is Black, and Cunningham is white. The incident drew widespread attention and remains a talking point around the league.
Golden State started the game shooting 7 of 20 from the field and 3 of 10 from three-point range, trailing after the first quarter. But the Valkyries' bench outscored Chicago's reserves 44-21, and their relentless pressure forced 18 turnovers, which they converted into 24 points.
Looking ahead, the Sky will visit Seattle on Sunday before returning to Chicago for a three-game homestand. The Valkyries return to action Monday night, hosting the Dallas Wings with a chance to punch their playoff ticket.
Article commentary
The Golden State Valkyries' latest victory underscores a theme that has defined their extraordinary inaugural season: depth, defensive tenacity, and the ability to overcome adversity. Wednesday night's 91-71 win over the Chicago Sky was not just about extending a winning streak; it was a statement of resilience and adaptability from a team that wasn't supposed to be this good this fast. Tiffany Hayes' performance off the bench epitomized the Valkyries' greatest strength. A seasoned veteran, Hayes has embraced a sixth-woman role, and her season-high 22 points came at a critical juncture, right when the team needed a lift after a sluggish start. Her ability to generate offense without disrupting the flow of the starters has been a luxury for head coach Natalie Nakase. More importantly, Hayes' three steals contributed to a franchise-record 16 thefts, highlighting a defensive identity that has become Golden State's calling card. The Valkyries now lead the league in steals per game, and their ability to turn defense into fast-break points has been a decisive factor in their 14-2 run over the last 16 games. What makes this surge even more remarkable is the context. The Valkyries are the WNBA's first expansion team to reach the postseason in its debut year, a milestone that seemed improbable when the season began. Typically, expansion franchises struggle to find cohesion and identity, but Golden State has defied expectations through shrewd roster construction and a clear system. The absence of starting center Kiah Stokes and reserve Janelle Salaun due to injuries could have derailed momentum, but the bench responded with a 44-21 advantage in scoring over Chicago's reserves. This depth is not accidental; it reflects a front office that prioritized versatile, experienced players who could adapt to multiple roles. On the other side, the Chicago Sky find themselves in a precarious position. After a promising start that saw Courtney Vandersloot knock down her first three shots, the offense evaporated in the second half. Vandersloot's inability to maintain her scoring touch underscores a larger issue: the Sky lack consistent secondary scoring behind Kamilla Cardoso. Cardoso's 20 points on efficient shooting were encouraging, but she received little help beyond Rachel Banham's 11 points off the bench. The Sky's 18 turnovers and 36.6% shooting from the field reflect a team that struggles to execute under defensive pressure. With the playoff race tightening, Chicago must find a way to generate more fluid offense, especially when their primary playmaker is neutralized. The DiJonai Carrington situation adds another layer of complexity to Chicago's season. While her on-court struggles are a concern, the off-court controversy surrounding her social media post and subsequent clarification has created a distraction. The WNBA has dealt with issues of race and privilege before, and Carrington's comments, though later clarified, highlight the heightened emotions and scrutiny players face in the modern era. For the Sky, managing this narrative while trying to salvage their playoff hopes will be a delicate balance. Looking ahead, the Valkyries are not just a feel-good story; they are a legitimate threat. Their ability to close out games, as evidenced by their 5-0 run, suggests poise beyond their years. If they continue to get contributions from the bench and maintain their defensive intensity, they could make noise in the postseason. For the Sky, the road ahead is daunting. They must regroup quickly, or risk watching the playoffs from home.