What happened: The burst came in the Dallas-Golden State opener of the 2026 WNBA Playoffs. Tiffany Hayes accounted for the entire Valkyries scoring output across that span.

Why it matters: Opening playoff games set early defensive assignments for the rest of the series. A solo scoring stretch forces opponents to shade additional help toward the hot hand.

What to watch: Watch whether Dallas adjusts its primary coverage on Hayes after the run.