Kaila

Charles

Hayes has not appeared in a game since August 22 and will also sit out a game that could be the Valkyries’ last of the season. Kaila Charles has served as the replacement in the starting lineup and will continue to do so. Hayes’ absence also puts more pressure offensively on Veronica Burton, who was named the WNBA’s Most Improved Player on Monday. Between the regular season and Sunday’s Game 1, the Valkyries have gone 0-5 against the Lynx this season.

Charles was one of four Valkyries players to finish with eight points on Thursday, which tied a team-high against the Lynx. She shot inefficiently but still led Golden State in made field goals, while collecting at least seven rebounds for the fourth straight game. Charles has performed well in her increased minutes and opportunities since Tiffany Hayes went down with a knee injury. Depending on Hayes’ status for the playoffs, Charles could continue to play a large role for Golden State.

Hayes suffered a knee injury during Golden State’s August 22 game against the Mercury and has not played since. According to the team, the veteran guard will be re-evaluated in one week. Given the timeline, Hayes may be done for the remainder of the regular season, with her status for the playoffs undecided should the Valkyries qualify. Kaila Charles has been Hayes’ replacement in the starting lineup and should continue to hold onto that role.

Hayes will miss a third consecutive game on Sunday due to a knee injury. The Valkyries guard was not with the team at all for Saturday’s win over the Mystics due to illness, but the knee was why she initially appeared on the injury report for that game. Kaila Charles has performed well as Hayes’ replacement in the starting lineup.

Saturday’s start was Charles’ second in as many games, and she offered another 16-point performance in the Valkyries’ blowout of the Mystics. Signed to a rest-of-season contract on August 22, the veteran wing has given Golden State valuable minutes as a reserve or spot starter. While Charles has not been productive enough to merit being added in standard fantasy leagues, she has been worth a look on nights when Golden State is without Tiffany Hayes.

Hayes, who was initially questionable for Saturday’s game due to a knee injury, is not with the Valkyries due to an illness. Saturday’s game will be the second straight she’s missed, likely meaning Kaila Charles will remain in the starting lineup. Charles played 34 minutes in Golden State’s win over Dallas on August 24 and will likely take on a similar workload.

In her first start for the Valkyries, Charles started out hot. In the first quarter she scored seven of her total 16 points and led her team in scoring. Charles scored running the floor in transition and spaced the floor, taking and making a three-pointer and an 18-foot mid-range shot. While her shot-making slowed in the three other quarters, Charles made sure she got on the glass and rebounded for her team as she led her team’s guards with six rebounds. She also served as a connector as well making the right pass to an open Janelle Salaün twice.

With Tiffany Hayes and Carla Leite both ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Wings, Kaila Charles gets her first start as a member of the Valkyries. Charles provided meaningful minutes off the bench against the Mercury on Friday night adding nine points and five rebounds in 26 minutes. With Charles moving to the starting lineup, head coach Natalie Nakase will have to call upon guards Kate Martin and Kaitlyn Chen.

Leite left the Valkyries’ Friday game against the Mercury at the beginning of the fourth quarter. While Leite was previously ruled questionable, she has been downgraded to out. Without Leite and Tiffany Hayes available for Sunday afternoon’s game against the Wings, the Valkyries will have to rely upon Kaila Charles, who gets the start, in addition to Kate Martin and Kaitlyn Chen.

After previously being questionable for the Valkyries game on Sunday against the Wings, Hayes has been since downgraded to out. She left her team’s game on Friday night with 7:17 left in the third quarter when she collided into Mercury wing Kahleah Copper. Kaila Charles will take Hayes’ place in the starting lineup on Sunday, getting her first start since joining the Valkyries. Head coach Natalie Nakase will be calling on more minutes from other guards Kate Martin and Kaitlyn Chen while Golden State will also be without Carla Leite in addition to Hayes.