The Golden State Valkyries could be without veteran guard Tiffany Hayes when they take on the Phoenix Mercury on Thursday night. Hayes was listed as questionable on the team’s latest injury report due to a nose injury she suffered in Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Lynx.
Golden State Valkyries Issue Injury Report Ahead of Phoenix Mercury Matchup
Hayes appeared in just her fourth game of the season against Minnesota but took another hit to the face, aggravating the same area that kept her sidelined earlier this year. She had already missed three games due to facial injuries before returning against the Lynx.
As of Wednesday, she was the only Valkyries player on the injury report, with the rest of the roster cleared to play.
Underdog WNBA posted the update, noting:
Tiffany Hayes (nose) questionable for Thursday.
— Underdog WNBA (@UnderdogWNBA) June 4, 2025
Missing time would be a bump in the road for a rather promising early-season stretch.
Hayes’ Impact in Limited Minutes
Hayes has appeared in just three of Golden State’s first six games this season, averaging 10.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game. She’s shooting 38.5% from the field and 30.0% from three-point range.
Her best showing came in the Valkyries’ WNBA debut, when she dropped 19 points, grabbed nine boards, and added an assist against the Los Angeles Sparks.
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The nose injury isn’t her first blow to the face this season. Earlier in the year, Hayes had to be helped off the floor during Golden State’s 76–74 win over the Washington Mystics after taking a hard hit to the head. Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase addressed that incident in a postgame interview.
According to ESPN, Nakase said, “I think we’re just going to wait to see how she feels, but I walked in the locker room and she was the first one to open her arms and give me a big hug. I immediately said, ‘How are you?’ She goes, ‘I’m fine.’ She just wanted to say congrats for your first win.”
Golden State Looking To Bounce Back
After starting their inaugural season strong, the Valkyries have now dropped three straight and sit at 2–4, ninth in the WNBA standings. They’re currently tied with the Dallas Wings and Los Angeles Sparks near the bottom of the Western Conference.
The next stretch won’t be easy. Golden State hits the road to face both the Mercury and the defending champion Las Vegas Aces. Both games are part of the WNBA’s in-season Commissioner’s Cup tournament, adding even more weight to the results.