SAN FRANCISCO — Following the Valkyries’ 87-63 win over the Connecticut Sun, Tiffany Hayes and Kayla Thornton addressed the ongoing collective bargaining negotiations between the WNBA Players Association and the league in statements made to the media prior to their postgame news conference. 

“We remain committed to negotiating the next CBA with the league in good faith and in private,” Thornton said. “But we do want to set the record straight, not for the headlines, but for the fans to support us and who deserve transparency about what’s at stake.”

Hayes continued, “This is a defining moment for the WNBA as the league grows, it’s time for a CBA that will affect our true values. We’re fighting for a fair share of the business that we build. It’s business. We’re not fighting for anything unreasonable.”

Hayes and Thornton joined Indiana Fever guards Sydney Colson and Sophie Cunningham as players who gave public statements regarding the current CBA negotiations on Sunday. 

Last year, the WNBA Players Association opted out of its CBA that would have run through 2027, and the deal will now end after this year. 

Front Office Sports reported that statements were made on Sunday because the players union is hoping to make headway on a new deal near the All-Star game, which is set to take place in Indianapolis on July 19. 

Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase said she was supportive of the players through these negotiations. 

“A huge reason why I wanted to work in the W was to see how I can help, how I can impact,” Nakase said. “As this league is growing, I want to help too. I want to do whatever it takes to get what they want and to get what they deserve. So I’m supporting them 100%.” 

Last year, the WNBA reached an agreement for a new $2.2 billion media rights deal. The record-breaking agreement with ESPN, NBC and Amazon could give way for higher wages in the league. According to Spotrac, Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young has the highest average annual value at $252,450. 

Among the many things the players are bargaining for, among them is to expand roster sizes. Under the current CBA, teams can sign up to 12 players and must keep a minimum of 11. 

“As this league expands, I think there should be (more spots),” Thornton said. “There’s a lot of great players out there.”

Nakase added, “There’s so many players out there that deserve it, that can play in this league and that can contribute. So I think, yeah, that would definitely be a plus, especially with injuries. I think 12 is just a little bit too less right now.” 

The Golden State Valkyries bench celebrates a basket and foul by Golden State Valkyries’ Kaitlyn Chen (2) against the Connecticut Sun in the second quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, June 22, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) 

Chen steps in for Leite

French rookie Carla Leite was a surprising healthy scratch from Sunday’s win as she was the only player to not have checked into the game. 

Leite played 20 minutes in the Valkyries’ win over the Indiana Fever on Thursday and was not on the injury list leading up to Sunday. She was seen warming up just over an hour before tipoff. 

When asked why Leite did not play, Nakase said, “I just wanted to give Kaitlyn (Chen) an opportunity.”

Chen made the most of her nearly 21 minutes of play. The former UConn star scored five points and controlled the pace for the Valkyries in her WNBA debut. She was assessed a technical foul in the fourth quarter after elbowing Connecticut guard Haley Peters in the face. 

“I love seeing Kaitlyn flourish,” Valkyries guard Tiffany Hayes said. “I’ve seen her hard work in practice and she just comes in and gives whatever we need from her.”

Golden State Valkyries’ Kaitlyn Chen (2) celebrates a basket and foul on Golden State Valkyries’ Stephanie Talbot (7) against the Connecticut Sun in the second quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, June 22, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) 

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Talbot bounces back

It’s been a tough start to the year for Valkyries forward Stephanie Talbot. 

The six-year Australian forward has struggled to find her 3-point shot after missing most of training camp and Golden State’s season opener. 

But on Sunday, she found a way to contribute. 

Talbot scored six points on 2-of-6 shooting and grabbed 10 rebounds in 19 minutes. She had a plus-minus rating of +26 when she was on the floor – her highest of the season. 

“That was big for us, getting us extra possessions,” Hayes said of Talbot. “She’s always in the gym working hard, so I’m glad to see her hard work.”