Some fans might have noticed the WNBA isn't participating as much as the league usually does during NBA All Star this year, but it sounds like that might be by design.
Golden State Valkyries guard Tiffany Hayes told the San Francisco Chronicle this weekend that she's not upset about the dip in WNBA participation this year. "I think we’re doing a good job with our All-Star as well," Hayes explained.
"I don’t think we should always only keep it in-house or anything, but it’s fun when we do our own thing, too. I think saving our special things for our All-Star is nice. We love the guys and love to come watch them and have fun."
The Golden State Valkyries and NBA All Star 2025
Last year's NBA All Star featured a heavily viewed 3-point contest between Steph Curry and Sabrina Ionescu, something that won't be repeated this year after Caitlin Clark turned down a proposal that reportedly would have bit her and Ionescu against Curry and Klay Thompson in favor of participating in her first 3-point contest at the WNBA's All Star instead.
Hayes isn't the only member of the team who was in San Francisco for All Star. She was joined by Kate Martin, who participted in a live recording of Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe's "A Touch More" podcast on Friday, and Kayla Thornton, who played in the Celebrity Game Friday night. Monique Billings also stopped by the team's brand new facilities in downtown Oakland.
The Valkyries are ready to greet their fans this season
"I’m just in awe that the fans we see here tonight, they might end up (Valkyries) fans here again," said of the crowd who came to see Bird and Rapinoe's podcast recording. "They could be cheering for us here soon like they’re cheering for (NBA All-Stars). Being able to come and see that has been amazing."
Thornton also spoke to the Chronicle. "It’s great to see the Bay Area before training camp starts," she told the outlet. "It’s beautiful here. I was already excited to be here, but this, it’s breathtaking. I’m still just grasping all the details that are put into this (at Chase Center)."
Also on Friday Hayes and Thornton recorded the first TikTok at the team's practice facility. The team opened the new gym this month. "The Valkyries Performance Center is a testament to our vision of building a championship culture in the Bay Area," said Valkyries General Manager Ohemaa Nyaninin a statement. "The state-of-the-art amenities and central location are key in the development of elite talent, and allows us to deepen our roots in the Oakland community."
You can read the entire article at the San Francisco Chronicle.