Latest news with #KaylaThornton
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
WNBA Used One Word to Describe Kayla Thornton's Play Against Chicago Sky
WNBA Used One Word to Describe Kayla Thornton's Play Against Chicago Sky originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The expansion Golden State Valkyries entered Friday's matchup against the Chicago Sky at .500 (7-7), eager to inch above break-even on their home court. Advertisement The Sky, meanwhile, carried a 4-10 mark into San Francisco, led by double-double machine Angel Reese, the WNBA's leader in rebounds (11.9 per game). However, during the first quarter of play, it was one of Golden State's players who drew attention from the WNBA. With the score 5-2 in favor of Chicago, Valkyries guard Kayla Thornton rocked a step-back 3-pointer, setting the tone early in a tightly contested affair. Immediately afterwards, the WNBA posted on X a clip of the highlight, calling her stepback "VICIOUS." Prior to the WNBA, Thornton starred at UTEP, ending her collegiate career as El Paso's all-time leading scorer (663) and earning first-team All-Conference USA honors in 2014 and twice landing on the C-USA All-Defensive Team. Advertisement Undrafted in 2014, she fought her way into the Washington Mystics roster in 2015, then spent six seasons with the Dallas Wings (2017-2022) before helping propel the New York Liberty to the franchise's first title in 2024. In December of last year, she was selected by the Golden State Valkyries in the expansion draft, a selection that immediately paid dividends. Golden State Valkyries forward Kayla Thornton (left) dribbles against Indiana Fever forward Natasha Howard (6).© Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images This season, Thornton has taken on a true leadership role. She entered Friday's contest averaging 14.9 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game, pacing the Valkyries in each category. Her efforts earned her Western Conference Player of the Week honors in mid-June, and she is already making a case to become the Valkyries' first-ever All-Star. Advertisement Related: Stephanie White Breaks Silence After Missing Chicago Sky Game Related: WNBA Reacts to Caitlin Clark's Actions During Chicago Sky Game This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Diggins leads Seattle against Golden State after 24-point performance
Seattle Storm (10-6, 8-4 Western Conference) at Golden State Valkyries (8-7, 4-4 Western Conference) San Francisco; Sunday, 8:30 p.m. EDT BOTTOM LINE: Seattle Storm visits the Golden State Valkyries after Skylar Diggins scored 24 points in the Storm's 97-81 victory against the Connecticut Sun. Advertisement The Valkyries' record in Western Conference games is 4-4. Golden State is 4-6 against opponents over .500. The Storm's record in Western Conference games is 8-4. Seattle is sixth in the Western Conference with 24.4 defensive rebounds per game led by Nneka Ogwumike averaging 6.3. Golden State is shooting 39.6% from the field this season, 4.4 percentage points lower than the 44.0% Seattle allows to opponents. Seattle averages 7.9 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.4 fewer made shots on average than the 9.3 per game Golden State allows. The teams play for the second time this season. In the last matchup on June 15 the Valkyries won 76-70 led by 22 points from Kayla Thornton, while Diggins scored 21 points for the Storm. Advertisement TOP PERFORMERS: Temi Fagbenle is averaging 10.3 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.5 steals for the Valkyries. Thornton is averaging 17.7 points over the last 10 games. Diggins is averaging 19 points and 6.1 assists for the Storm. Ogwumike is averaging 17.2 points over the last 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Valkyries: 6-4, averaging 81.9 points, 38.2 rebounds, 18.6 assists, 7.7 steals and 3.6 blocks per game while shooting 40.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 77.0 points per game. Storm: 7-3, averaging 86.6 points, 29.9 rebounds, 23.0 assists, 8.6 steals and 5.3 blocks per game while shooting 47.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 79.3 points. INJURIES: Valkyries: None listed. Storm: Katie Lou Samuelson: out for season (knee). ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Associated Press
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Associated Press
Diggins leads Seattle against Golden State after 24-point performance
Seattle Storm (10-6, 8-4 Western Conference) at Golden State Valkyries (8-7, 4-4 Western Conference) San Francisco; Sunday, 8:30 p.m. EDT BOTTOM LINE: Seattle Storm visits the Golden State Valkyries after Skylar Diggins scored 24 points in the Storm's 97-81 victory against the Connecticut Sun. The Valkyries' record in Western Conference games is 4-4. Golden State is 4-6 against opponents over .500. The Storm's record in Western Conference games is 8-4. Seattle is sixth in the Western Conference with 24.4 defensive rebounds per game led by Nneka Ogwumike averaging 6.3. Golden State is shooting 39.6% from the field this season, 4.4 percentage points lower than the 44.0% Seattle allows to opponents. Seattle averages 7.9 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.4 fewer made shots on average than the 9.3 per game Golden State allows. The teams play for the second time this season. In the last matchup on June 15 the Valkyries won 76-70 led by 22 points from Kayla Thornton, while Diggins scored 21 points for the Storm. TOP PERFORMERS: Temi Fagbenle is averaging 10.3 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.5 steals for the Valkyries. Thornton is averaging 17.7 points over the last 10 games. Diggins is averaging 19 points and 6.1 assists for the Storm. Ogwumike is averaging 17.2 points over the last 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Valkyries: 6-4, averaging 81.9 points, 38.2 rebounds, 18.6 assists, 7.7 steals and 3.6 blocks per game while shooting 40.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 77.0 points per game. Storm: 7-3, averaging 86.6 points, 29.9 rebounds, 23.0 assists, 8.6 steals and 5.3 blocks per game while shooting 47.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 79.3 points. INJURIES: Valkyries: None listed. Storm: Katie Lou Samuelson: out for season (knee). ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Kayla Thornton scores career-high 29 points to help the Valkyries beat the Sky 83-78
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Kayla Thornton scored a career-high 29 points to help the Golden State Valkyries beat the Chicago Sky 83-78 on Friday night. Thornton made her fourth 3-pointer with two minutes remaining to give Golden State (7-8) a 78-70 lead. But Chicago (4-11) scored the next four points, the last when Angel Reese grabbed an offensive rebound and scored with 1:11 left. Advertisement Thornton was fouled with a second left on the shot clock and she made 1 of 2 free throws for a 79-74 lead. Reese scored again after another offensive rebound, but Tiffany Hayes sealed it with two free throws. Hayes finished with 13 points, Kate Martin had 11 and Kaitlyn Chen 10 for Golden State. Ariel Atkins scored 20 points and Reese had 17 points and 18 rebounds for Chicago. Reese has had 15-plus rebounds in three straight games. Kia Nurse had 12 of her 17 points in the first half, and Rachel Banham added 11 points for the Sky. Kamilla Cardoso did not play because of an overseas commitment. ___ AP WNBA: The Associated Press
Associated Press
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Associated Press
Kayla Thornton scores career-high 29 points to help the Valkyries beat the Sky 83-78
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Kayla Thornton scored a career-high 29 points to help the Golden State Valkyries beat the Chicago Sky 83-78 on Friday night. Thornton made her fourth 3-pointer with two minutes remaining to give Golden State (7-8) a 78-70 lead. But Chicago (4-11) scored the next four points, the last when Angel Reese grabbed an offensive rebound and scored with 1:11 left. Thornton was fouled with a second left on the shot clock and she made 1 of 2 free throws for a 79-74 lead. Reese scored again after another offensive rebound, but Tiffany Hayes sealed it with two free throws. Hayes finished with 13 points, Kate Martin had 11 and Kaitlyn Chen 10 for Golden State. Ariel Atkins scored 20 points and Reese had 17 points and 18 rebounds for Chicago. Reese has had 15-plus rebounds in three straight games. Kia Nurse had 12 of her 17 points in the first half, and Rachel Banham added 11 points for the Sky. Kamilla Cardoso did not play because of an overseas commitment. ___ AP WNBA:
