Cecilia Zandalasini and Tiffany Hayes were expected to play Tuesday's critical game against the Phoenix Mercury. Both were absent from the initial injury report and participated in pregame warmups and media availability. Minutes before tipoff, Hayes was scratched for rest and Zandalasini was ruled out with tightness in her left calf. Zandalasini had been announced as a starter but did not appear on the bench; second-year guard Kate Martin replaced her. The Italian forward had been available into the middle of the first quarter while stretching her calf but was removed shortly after. Stretch center Iliana Rupert remained in concussion protocol, further depleting the Valkyries' rotation. The Valkyries were not worried about resting players and regarded every remaining game as a must-win to reach the playoffs.
Valkyries starters Cecilia Zandalasini and Tiffany Hayes were expected to play in Tuesday's critical game against the Phoenix Mercury. Both were not in Tuesday's initial injury report, and took part in pregame warmups and media availability. But just minutes before tipoff, Hayes was ruled out and Zandalasini was not present on Golden State's bench. According to team officials, Hayes was scratched for rest reasons while Zandalasini was ruled out with tightness in her left calf.
Second-year guard Kate Martin took Zandalasini's place. Valkyries officials said the Italian forward was available up until the middle of the first quarter as she was stretching out her calf, but ruled her out shortly after. The Valkyries were already shorthanded without stretch center Iliana Rupert, who is in concussion protocol, dealing a big blow to their rotation against one of the best teams in the league.
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