Olivia Nelson-Ododa Quick to Shut Down WNBA Fan After Tiffany Hayes Dating Rumor Surfaces

As the WNBA semifinals heat up, the intensity on and off the court is at an all-time high, keeping fans fully engaged. However, with such heightened excitement, it’s not uncommon for fans to interpret players’ off-court actions in unexpected ways, often spinning stories that aren’t true. That’s exactly what unfolded when dating rumors started swirling around Olivia Nelson-Ododa and the recently crowned Sixth Player of the Year, Tiffany Hayes. But Ododa has since put those rumors to rest, denying any truth to the speculation.

A WNBA fan page on X shared a photo of Connecticut Sun star Olivia Nelson-Ododa possibly entering the arena ahead of a matchup, showcasing her in a stunning outfit. The post, however, wasn’t just about her look. The playful caption read, “Can Tiffany Hayes fight??? CAUSE DAMNNNN ONO IS SO STUNNINGGG!!!,” implying that Hayes might have some competition with all the admirers Ododa is bound to attract.

With fans already buzzing over the playful post, Connecticut Sun’s No. 10, Olivia Nelson-Ododa, wasted no time clearing up any confusion. The dating rumors, sparked by the lighthearted tweet, quickly caught her attention. Not one to let speculation linger, Ododa retweeted it with a straightforward response, writing, “hi! we are NOT dating. hope this helps!”

Even though Olivia Nelson-Ododa and Tiffany Hayes are no longer teammates—Hayes recently returned from retirement to join the Las Vegas Aces—they did share a season together last year with the Connecticut Sun. Nevertheless, her quick clarification put an end to the rumors, leaving no room for misinterpretation about their dating. But what might have made fans come up with their dating story?

Social Media Sparks: Tiffany Hayes and Olivia Nelson-Ododa’s online interactions might have fueled dating rumors

It’s not unusual for athletes to stay connected on social media, whether they’re rivals or teammates. In the case of Tiffany Hayes and Olivia Nelson-Ododa, the two played together during the 2023 season with the Connecticut Sun, so it’s no surprise that they follow each other on Instagram. However, their online interactions may have sparked fans’ imaginations, leading to the dating rumors that quickly caught fire.

The buzz began when Tiffany Hayes shared a striking photo of herself dressed in blue jeans, and a beige coat layered over a white shirt, giving off some serious style vibes. Players from both the Aces and her former Sun teammates flooded the comments, admiring her look. Olivia Nelson-Ododa was among them, and when Hayes’ post caught her eye, she couldn’t help but chime in with some love. Ododa commented, “Wang!!! Cmon” followed by three fire emojis and Hayes didn’t forget to like her comment.

That wasn’t the end of it. The next moment that caught fans’ attention came when Olivia Nelson-Ododa posted a stunning carousel of photos, rocking an eye-catching jumpsuit. This time, it was Tiffany Hayes who couldn’t resist showing her admiration, commenting, “Yes Liv!!!” with two fire emojis. While Hayes had just liked her comment earlier, Nelson-Ododa even responded with a simple yet sweet reply—a light-blue heart, symbolizing warmth and affection.

While these interactions weren’t anything out of the ordinary, they certainly fueled fan speculation, especially since Ododa and Hayes are no longer teammates but still show plenty of admiration for each other on social media. However, with the Sun star clearing the air, fans should now realize that all those dating rumors were just stories they cooked up.