Rodney Knuppel Tue, October 20, 2026 at 11:26 AM UTC · 2 min read About Our Ads Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tiffany Hayes sends a message with WNBA Finals pregame outfit before Game 2 originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The WNBA Finals tunnel has become a place where players can express themselves before the first possession. Some choose dramatic silhouettes, others favor designer collaborations, and a few use their clothing to say something that goes beyond basketball. Tiffany Hayes took the third approach before Golden State's Game 2 matchup with Atlanta on Monday.
Hayes arrived in a monochromatic look built around a T-shirt carrying the message, "Women play sports all month long." The shirt was part of a partnership with Cora, and the phrase gave her appearance a point that was easy to understand even for viewers who do not follow fashion closely. The Valkyries shared her arrival on their official social account.
The timing mattered. The WNBA is celebrating its 30th season, and Game 2 featured a special orange-carpet program produced with E! and USA Network. The broadcast placed player arrivals and personal style alongside the usual championship-game buildup, giving athletes another way to connect with an audience before tipoff.
Hayes did not need an elaborate outfit to take advantage of that stage. The direct message on her shirt invited attention to women's sports and the expectations surrounding athletes, while the restrained styling kept the words central. It was a different approach from the bright colors and statement pieces worn by several other players arriving at Chase Center.
The veteran also had an important basketball assignment waiting. Hayes scored 14 points in Golden State's 79-65 loss, tying Gabby Williams for the team lead. The Valkyries struggled to sustain their offense after halftime and were outscored 21-9 in the third quarter as Atlanta evened the series.
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Game 3 is scheduled for Wednesday at State Farm Arena, where the Dream will host the next two contests. The change of venue also means a new set of arrival photos and another opportunity for players to shape the story around the Finals before the games begin.
Fashion coverage is sometimes treated as a distraction from the competition, but Hayes' appearance showed why the two can coexist. Her shirt delivered a clear message, while her on-court role remained central to Golden State's championship hopes. The Valkyries will need a better result in Game 3, but Hayes already made sure one part of Monday's pregame conversation had lasting meaning.
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Source: Sports
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