Watch: Wild game-winning buzzer-beater launched from beyond half court
Alex Bregman’s game-winning home run in the top of the 10th inning of Tuesday’s MLB All-Star Game was dramatic, but it wasn’t even close to being the best fantastic finish of the sports night.
The Atlanta Dream continued its dreamy season with an 86-83 win over the Connecticut Sun.
The star of the night was Atlanta’s Tiffany Hayes, who was a storyline of her own before the game as she was returning to Connecticut, where she won two National Championships with the Huskies.
But the day started off on the wrong foot for Hayes.
Tuesday was also the day the league’s All-Stars were named. Last year, Hayes was a starter on the East squad, and it looked like she’d be an easy choice for this year’s squad, especially since she’s averaging a career-high 17.4 points per game.
But Hayes was left off this year’s All-Star squad completely, and even some WNBA experts were confounded.
I think most would agree the players who stand out as All-Star snubs are Atlanta's Tiffany Hayes and Seattle's Natasha Howard. The question always is, of course, who you think they should have replaced who did make it.
— Michael Voepel (@MAVoepel) July 17, 2018
Rather than pout, Hayes took out her frustration on the Sun.
The game was tied at 83, and Connecticut was ready to run a play that would hopefully result in a last-second victory.
Thanks to Hayes, it did result in a last-second victory, but not for the Sun
Hayes stepped into a passing lane near the Connecticut baseline and intercepted a pass. She quickly dribbled a few steps up court and released the ball from beyond half court. The high, arcing shot went through the basket as the buzzer sounded, giving Atlanta a dramatic victory.
TIFFANY HITS THE BUZZER BEATER FOR THE WIN!!! @tiphayes3 pic.twitter.com/xakXjmshi5
— Atlanta Dream (@AtlantaDream) July 18, 2018
According to the WNBA, it was the longest game-winning shot in the league’s history.
As the video went viral, so did the outrage over Hayes’ All-Star snub.
How did Tiffany Hayes not make the all-star team?
— David Siegel (@DishNSwish) July 17, 2018
https://twitter.com/splitthepost/status/1019386978268139520
It has never been easy for the WNBA to grab national headlines, and on a night when the sports media was focused on baseball’s mid-summer classic, it was especially difficult.
But Hayes’ game-winner deserves to be recognized.
Oh, and that All-Star slight? Let’s just say Hayes hasn’t forgotten.
God be knowin man 🙏🏾 #poeticjustice
— TIFFANY HAYES (@tiphayes3) July 18, 2018
This was the fifth straight win for the Dream, and perhaps even more impressive, its 10th consecutive victory by less than six points.
We’ll keep our eyes open to see if Hayes finds her way to Minneapolis for next week’s All-Star game after all.
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