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Struggling WNBA Team Dealt Unfortunate News on Sunday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Paolo Songco | Last updated Jun 2, 2025 7:08 AM ET

Not even a second-quarter explosion from Kate Martin saved the Golden State Valkyries from another tough loss on Sunday.

Martin went off in the second period, scoring 11 points in just five minutes to give the Valkyries a one-point lead against the Minnesota Lynx heading into the halftime break.

Napheesa Collier and the Lynx quickly erased the deficit, though, as they outscored Golden State in the third quarter, 17-8. Minnesota did not look back from that point, securing an 86-75 win to mark their seventh win in seven games played this season.

The Valkyries, on the other hand, fell to 2-4 with the loss as they continue to struggle in their inaugural campaign.

To make matters worse, Golden State lost one of its key players in the fourth quarter after reigning WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year Tiffany Hayes took a shot to the face and was forced to exit the game.

The Valkyries immediately announced that the 35-year-old veteran would not be able to return to the game.

Tip Hayes sustained a nose injury and exited tonight's game in the fourth quarter.

Hayes is undergoing further evaluation and will not return to tonight's game.
— Golden State Valkyries (@valkyries) June 2, 2025

What makes this even more concerning is the fact that Hayes just returned from a three-game absence. Sunday was her first game back after sitting out the last three contests due to a nose injury. It is currently unclear if she hurt her nose again on Sunday.

Should Hayes miss time again, the Valkyries could lean on Martin to play more minutes in the interim. The former Iowa star had her best game in a Golden State uniform on Sunday, so this could potentially ignite a run for Martin at a time when the Valkyries need as much firepower as they can get.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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