Monday night’s WNBA matchup isn’t just another game, it is a full-blown potential playoff preview between superstar Paige Buckers and the Dallas Wings, currently sitting eighth in the overall standings, and the scorching hot No. 2 Golden State Valkyries. This is the last regular-season meeting between these two, a 10 ET tip that’s nationally televised, and man, does it have some juice.
Valkyries on a Tear, Eyeing History
The Golden State Valkyries are the hottest squad in the WNBA right now, ripping off a five-game winning streak. They’ve already carved up the Wings twice this season, easily beating them both times, so you know they are coming into this one looking for the sweep. With a 24-9 record, the Valkyries are comfortably at No. 2 in the standings. Sure, they probably won’t catch Minnesota for the top seed, who are sitting at 29-7, but they are absolutely not falling below Las Vegas at the No. 3 spot, holding a 24-12 record. Their magic number to clinch a playoff spot? Just one. Get it done!
This team is streaky, but when they’re hot, they are ON FIRE. Before this current five-game run, they had dropped two straight. But before *that*, they rattled off nine straight wins! Then two losses, then four wins. See what I mean? And get this, they have already equaled their win total from their historic inaugural 2025 season. That’s a serious statement.
Tiffany Hayes Just Went OFF and Made History
The Valkyries have been off since last Wednesday, which gave them some time to get healthy. Starting center Kiah Stokes, who was out with concussion protocol, is good to go tonight. The WNBA’s leading scorer off the bench, forward Janelle Salaün, who was dealing with right knee soreness, is questionable. Laeticia Amihere, who got her first career WNBA start last Wednesday against Chicago and put up two points in 15 minutes, should head back to the bench with Stokes cleared.
But the real story? Tiffany Hayes coming off the bench. Last game, she dropped a season-high 22 points on an absolutely ridiculous 8-for-11 shooting! That’s five times in her last six games she’s hit double figures. She wasn’t just scoring either, adding six rebounds, five assists, and three steals. You know what that means? She became the FIRST player in WNBA history to post 20 or more points, six or more rebounds, five or more assists, and three or more steals in less than 20 minutes of action. That is WILD. The bench as a unit put up a whopping 49 points in that game, and the team notched a franchise-record 16 steals, with eight players grabbing at least one. This squad has been putting up points, hitting 90 or more in four of their last five games.
This ain’t just a regular season finale between these two. The Valkyries are on fire, pushing history, and they’re looking to shut down the Wings for a clean season sweep. Don’t miss the 10 ET tip tonight, you know it’s gonna be wild.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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