The 2026 WNBA Finals will feature plenty of recognizable names, including Angel Reese, Rhyne Howard and Gabby Williams. However, one of the most fascinating stories belongs to Golden State Valkyries veteran Tiffany Hayes.
Hayes spent the majority of her professional career with the Atlanta Dream, establishing herself as one of the franchise’s most recognizable players. Now, at 37 years old, she has an opportunity to capture her first WNBA championship against the organization where she spent more than a decade.
Golden State will face Atlanta in the best-of-seven WNBA Finals beginning Saturday, Oct. 17, at Chase Center. For Hayes, the matchup represents an extraordinary full-circle moment.
Hayes helped define an era in Atlanta
Hayes began her WNBA career with Atlanta in 2012 and remained with the organization through the 2022 season. During that stretch, she developed into an accomplished scorer and earned an All-Star selection in 2017.
A FULL-CIRCLE FINALS MOMENT 🔄 Drafted by Atlanta in 2012. Part of the Dream’s last Finals run in 2013. Now, Tiffany Hayes faces the team where it all began with a championship on the line! https://t.co/O4BeMPKgqY
— WNBA (@WNBA)
She also helped Atlanta reach the 2013 WNBA Finals, although the Dream ultimately fell short of winning the championship. Her career eventually took her to Connecticut and Las Vegas before she joined Golden State for the franchise’s inaugural season in 2025…