ATLANTA (Azat TV) – Facing a 2-1 deficit in the WNBA Finals, the Golden State Valkyries leveled the series at 2-2 on Saturday, October 26, 2026, following a crucial 67-62 victory over the Atlanta Dream. Head coach Natalie Nakase overhauled her starting lineup for the high-stakes matchup, inserting 37-year-old veteran Tiffany Hayes and Kaila Charles in place of Kayla Thornton and Cecilia Zandalasini. The strategic shift immediately paid dividends as Hayes delivered a decisive performance to break the team’s recent offensive struggles.
Playing in her first playoff start since September, Hayes anchored the offense with 13 points on 5-for-10 shooting, adding five rebounds and neutralizing Atlanta guard Allisha Gray. Her second-half surge proved essential, as she scored all 11 of Golden State’s points during a critical stretch spanning the third and fourth quarters. Reporting from the Mercury News highlights how the veteran’s quickness and downhill drives created the necessary spacing to overcome the Dream’s defensive schemes.
Tactical Adjustments and Defensive Focus
The decision to start Hayes stemmed from consecutive losses in Games 2 and 3, which put the Valkyries under immense pressure. Nakase noted that inserting the 14-year veteran provided a crucial comfort level and stability that the team needed on the floor. Despite picking up two early fouls that limited her first-half minutes, Hayes maintained her composure and finished the contest playing an instrumental role in slowing down Atlanta’s primary scorers.
Valkyries forward Gabby Williams praised the veteran’s impact during the closing minutes, emphasizing her ability to inject energy when the offense stalled. Although Hayes finished as a minus-17 due to playing through a heavy third-quarter Atlanta run, her defensive matchup against Gray—holding her to 1-for-7 shooting—proved vital in stifling the Dream’s perimeter rhythm.
High Stakes as the Series Returns to San Francisco
With the series now tied at two games apiece, the competition shifts back to San Francisco with all momentum up for grabs. Nakase has repeatedly expressed her desire to secure a WNBA title for Hayes, who contemplated retirement before joining the franchise and helping guide the rookie head coach through her transition.
As the Valkyries prepare for Game 5, both players and coaching staff acknowledge that maintaining defensive intensity and composure will dictate the outcome of the championship. Hayes emphasized that the team must replicate their Game 4 execution to close out the series, though recognizing that Atlanta will implement adjustments of their own.