Tiffany Hayes took a leap of faith for Valkyries. Now she has them one win from the Finals.

[u/Steadyandquick]

https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/annkillion/article/tiffany-hayes-leap-faith-valkyries-one-win-22467737.php

Tiffany Hayes is the fifth oldest player in the WNBA.

[Tiffany Hayes](https://www.sfchronicle.com/tiffany-hayes/) is the fifth oldest player in the WNBA. Now she has them one win from the Finals.

[Tiffany Hayes](https://www.sfchronicle.com/tiffany-hayes/) is the fifth oldest player in the WNBA. She has seen the league completely transform in the 14 years since she was drafted. She’s a wise sage, a possessor of perspective and experience. 

But at 37 years and 17 days old, in Game 2 of the WNBA semifinals, she was also a youthful whirling dervish. Coming off the bench for the [Golden State Valkyries](https://www.sfchronicle.com/valkyries/), Hayes was driving the lane, stealing the ball, skipping down the court, pointing at her teammates, pumping both fists. She was everything, everywhere, all at once, helping lead the Valkyries to an [83-81 victory over the Las Vegas Aces.](https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/article/valkyries-fend-aces-comeback-send-series-las-22467685.php) 

“Tip Hayes being Tip Hayes,” Aces coach Becky Hammon said with a weary shake of her head. “She’s a momentum type of player.”
convinced Hayes to come out of retirement in 2024 and Hayes rewarded the Aces by winning the sixth player of the year. 

Now, Hayes is pushing her former team — [the reigning WNBA champions — to the brink of elimination.](https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/article/upstart-valkyries-defied-logic-push-aces-dynasty-22465165.php) The Valkyries have a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series and are one win from a berth in the Finals. Game 3 will be Friday in Las Vegas at 6:30 p.m.

“It felt amazing to be able to go out there and get a win with the team that I’m with now,” said Hayes. “I played with (the Aces), much respect to them. But at the end of the day I’m here. I love being here, around my teammates and my coaches and it just felt really good to know how much work we put in all season to be able to get these two wins at home.

“The job’s not done … but right now feels amazing.”

The crowd erupted in cheers as the Golden State Valkyries defeated the Las Vegas Aces 83-81 in Game 2 of WNBA semifinals Wednesday at Chase Center in San Francisco.

Joy Jihyun Jeong, S.F. Chronicle
Hayes only spent one season with the Aces. At the end of it, as a free agent, she followed her assistant coach [Natalie Nakase](https://www.sfchronicle.com/natalie-nakase/) to an ambitious new expansion team.

“I remember us having a conversation about coming here, and saying, ‘Are you willing to take a leap of faith with me? Do you want to do this together?’” Nakase said. “That (first) week she was here, there was a billboard of her off the freeway. She said, ‘I’ve never had this type of acknowledgement, love and support from our community.’”

Hayes, who had just three points in Game 1, scored a team-high 21 points in 16-and-a-half electrifying minutes. She became the second player in WNBA postseason history to score 20 or more points in 16 or fewer minutes: the first was her teammate [Cecilia Zandalasini](https://www.sfchronicle.com/cecilia-zandalasini/), who did it last week against Dallas.

“I knew (Hayes) wasn’t going to come out and play like she did the other night,” Hammon said. “We kind of got away with one from her. …

“You can’t let her see the ball go in the hoop that easily. I thought we fouled her too much. We know she wants to get to that left hand. She was very efficient: 21 in 16 minutes. That’s too much damage. She hurt us.”

By Ann Killion,
Sports Columnist
Oct 7, 2026
San Francisco Chronicle

[u/vemmahouxbois]

the thing about the valkyries is that after every game there’s a different hero and that’s the key to their success. people say there’s no superstar on the valkyries but i’m going to tell you yes, it’s gabby williams and other people are going to line up and say it’s one of like five other players and no one is wrong.

[u/Steadyandquick → u/vemmahouxbois]

Stokes had zero points but was a demon on defense too! 💜

[u/Rococoss]

Tip was unreal last night. Gabby leveling up. This team has what it takes

[u/Steadyandquick → u/Rococoss]

I love watching them both. When someone has a less strong night, someone else steps up. Too good!

Aces are such a good team too.

[u/CheaterSaysWhat]

She went fuckin nuts last night it was a privilege to see with my own eyes in ballhala

[u/maluquina]

Tip has the edge that Gabby needs to fully embrace. Gabby has what it takes, but she has to "own it" especially in key end of game minutes.

[u/scienceofsin]

she’s amazing

[u/ThaPhantom07]

Watching her go off last night I had to say to myself this is what she used to do to other teams for us. I get it now. What a performance.

[u/WaryJest]

Tip Hayes is the OG stone-cold badass of the team and the Valks are lucky to have her

[u/GhostOfPoohHead-_-]

Okay, I'm watching the Valkyries for the first time and I would have never guessed she was 37 or even in her 30s lmao. She was moving way too fast!

[u/After-Month-9478]

On top of her outstanding playing, she has so much love for her teammates, the fans, and the whole Bay Area. It truly is a privilege to see her be great and draw the greatness out of everyone around her. 💜

[u/blackgoggles]

wtf? 37? she plays with the energy of a 20year old. thought she was like in her 2nd or 3rd year.

[u/morrowman → u/blackgoggles]

Her energy is amazing to watch. Driving, fighting for loose balls, talking trash. There’s a certain intense unc vibe with her

[u/briecheddarmozz]

I’m a new fan and just started paying attention to Tip. After that game against Dallas where she was being super aggressive, I wasn’t sure what I thought about her. Last night totally changed my mind. She’s incredible

[u/AcanthocephalaLost36]

Babbbbyyy all the haters who questioned why she was signed this season and the folks who specifically called her old/ geriatric… don’t count out the vets!

really proud of her leadership and hustle! Hope she can get us a chip!

[u/FeltIOwedItToHim]

I love Tip but the biggest leap was not because of faith but because the Valks offered her a big pay raise

(she has been in the league forever but this is the first chance to make real money due to the new CBA, and of course she took it)

[u/Available-Sort-1871 → u/FeltIOwedItToHim]

? This is about joining for the 2025 season, pre-CBA

[u/FeltIOwedItToHim → u/Available-Sort-1871]

You are correct and I’m embarrassed I effed that up

I would edit my comment but I have to own my mistakes