The Golden State Valkyries don’t have an established star or go-to scorer quite yet. Janelle Salaün and Carla Leite are young stars in the making, but neither is ready to compete with the big-time stars in the WNBA quite yet. Right now, the only All-Star on the Valkyries’ roster and the one player who can take over games and score at will is Tiffany Hayes.
Hayes’ offensive skill was on full display in the Valkyries’ season-opener when she scored an efficient 19 points. Since then, the Valkyries haven’t seen much of Hayes, as she had to leave the team’s second game with an injury and missed the matchups against Los Angeles and New York.
The Valkyries desperately miss her offensive creation and shotmaking ability.
The Valkyries struggled against New York without Hayes
Hayes’ absence was no problem in the Valkyries’ rematch against the Los Angeles Sparks. Big games from Carla Leite, Janelle Salaün, Kayla Thornton, and Veronica Burton propelled the Valkyries to a second consecutive win. The game against the New York Liberty looked much different.
New York is a much stronger team than Los Angeles and the Valkyries struggled to create much offense. The Liberty’s defense was everywhere, disrupting passes and forcing tough shots. No Valkyries player could really get going offensively. Burton and Thornton led the team with 13 points each.
The Valkyries suffered a brutal 95-67 loss. While that loss was not unexpected at all, it brought up the question of how different the game would have looked with Hayes on the floor.
Without Hayes, the Valkyries didn’t have anyone who could score at will, attack the rim consistently, and break down the Liberty’s defense. There is a reason Hayes was the Valkyries’ priced free-agency signing this offseason. Her experience is invaluable for a new team, but so is her skill as a scorer.
Considering how well the Liberty played—with the exception of the third quarter—Hayes’ presence likely wouldn’t have made much of a difference. Hayes alone wouldn’t have been enough to lead the Valkyries to a win over the reigning champions, but her presence would have made the offense easier.
The Valkyries have a tough schedule ahead of them
It will be a while until the Valkyries get a break. Golden State’s next four games are against the New York Liberty, Minnesota Lynx, Phoenix Mercury, and Las Vegas Aces. The Liberty and Lynx, in particular, will make it incredibly difficult for the Valkyries to get going offensively.
Hayes is questionable for the rematch against the Liberty, but even if she plays, she won’t be in top shape, and other players will have to step up. The Valkyries will also have to find a way to avoid facing the Liberty’s set half-court defense. Their best bet is to push the pace and try to beat the Liberty down the court.
These next few games may not yield any wins for the Valkyries, but going up against strong teams will be good practice for the WNBA’s newest team—especially for the Valkyries’ young players.
Still, Hayes cannot return to the court soon enough.