Latest news with #Valkyries
San Francisco Chronicle
9 hours ago
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Kayla Thornton's career-high 29 points power Valkyries past Sky and Angel Reese
With Kayla Thornton at the free-throw line with 47 seconds to play, a soft chant wafted down from the Chase Center crowd. 'MVP. MVP. MVP.' Thornton isn't going to be in MVP consideration, but she could very well be a WNBA All-Star. In the Golden State Valkyries' 83-78 win over the Chicago Sky on Friday night, Thornton broke her career-high in scoring for the third time this season, tallying 29 points in the ugly victory. Over Thornton's last eight games, she is averaging 19.5 points per game and 8.3 rebounds while shooting 45.9% from the floor and 40.4% from 3-point range. She has scored at least 20 points in four of those eight games after doing it six times ever in her previous 309 contests. Thornton leads the Valkyries in points (15.9), rebounds (7.1), field-goals made (5.2), and steals (1.7), all while averaging 30.5 minutes per game. In the franchise's first season, the 10-year veteran has been exactly what the Valkyries need. 'It was not our greatest start, we kind of struggled,' Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase said. 'We learned on KT, we said 'Hey, just, can we hear your voice a little louder? ' And then boom, she responds, and you saw her out there commanding, but also supporting. Because when we're not playing our best, we need to hear some support. So that's what we lean on KT, we completely rely on KT.' Valkyries 83, Sky 78 Percentages: FG .371, FT .684. 3-Point Goals: 13-33, .394 (Nurse 5-11, Banham 3-6, Atkins 2-6, Reese 1-2, Van Lith 1-2, Allen 1-6). Team Rebounds: 10. Team Turnovers: None. Blocked Shots: 4 (Allen 2, Atkins 2). Turnovers: 11 (Reese 3, Atkins 2, Allen, Banham, Nurse, Onyenwere, Van Lith, Williams). Steals: 7 (Onyenwere 3, Atkins 2, Reese, Williams). Technical Fouls: Nurse, 6:44 second. Percentages: FG .377, FT .690. 3-Point Goals: 11-30, .367 (Thornton 4-7, Martin 3-7, Bibby 2-4, Chen 1-1, Hayes 1-5, Billings 0-1, Burton 0-2, Talbot 0-3). Team Rebounds: 10. Team Turnovers: None. Blocked Shots: 2 (Billings 2). Turnovers: 9 (Thornton 3, Hayes 2, Amihere, Billings, Burton, Chen). Steals: 4 (Billings, Burton, Hayes, Thornton). Technical Fouls: None. A_18,064 (18,064). 'This role might be a little different, but I try to look at it as, I come in and give the most energy I can for my teammates and I just allow the game to come at me,' Thornton said. 'I don't try to go search for shots or anything, but mostly it generates from my defense, and it kind of just flows like that. But I don't do anything out the ordinary of what I haven't been doing for previous teams in New York or Dallas.' Thornton's offensive game has blossomed with the Valkyries. She hasn't averaged double-digit points since 2019 with Dallas when she scored 10.4 per contest. Now at 32 years old, Thornton is scoring the most she ever has while shooting over seven times per game more than a season ago. 'She's a phenomenal basketball player, and you can learn a lot from KT and how she plays,' said second-year guard Kate Martin, who netted 11 points off the bench on Friday. 'I'm just really glad she's getting all the success that she's getting. She deserves it, and I'm thankful that I'm her teammate.' On Friday, the Valkyries struggled to score early, shooting under 35% in every quarter until a 50% final frame. Thornton tallied eight of those points in the fourth, including her fourth 3-pointer with two minutes to go that effectively sealed the contest. She contributed to a 12-0 run over 1:45 that put Golden State ahead for good. She picked up her fifth foul early in the fourth, but Nakase didn't hesitate to keep her in the game. 'I looked at her, and I asked, 'I can trust you, right?'' Nakase said. 'She was like, 'let's go.' She played real smart, real intentional, she wasn't doing too much physicality. I thought she was being more vocal, she was screaming and commanding.' Rookie Kaitlyn Chen scored 10 for the first time in her third WNBA contest. Two starters in Steph Talbot and Veronica Burton combined to go 0-for-11 while the Valkyries' scoring went cold, but 30 bench points and Thornton's monster game were enough for the Valkyries (8-7) to get past the lowly Sky. '(Thornton has) done nothing but grow her game,' said Chicago guard Ariel Atkins, who led the Sky with 20 points. 'She is literally foundational to what that organization is building.' Chicago (4-11) is not usually a 3-point threat, entering Friday with the third-worst shooting percentage from range at 30.4%. However, the Valkyries struggled to contain Chicago shooters early, even without having to account for the paint presence of Kamilla Cardoso, the Suns' inside threat who was absent due to FIBA Women's AmeriCup. The late Valkyries run was sparked by a Martin 3-pointer. Monique Billings stole the ball on the next possession and scored a breakaway layup, then Martin hit another trey. Thornton followed up with a layup and Billings hit a pull-up jumpshot at the free-throw line for a 73-64 lead. Tiffany Hayes knocked down two free throws with 22.1 seconds left to seal it after Angel Reese fouled her while down three points, but with just 14 seconds left on the shot clock for the Valkyries. Reese finished with 17 points and 18 rebounds. Chicago entered Friday with the second-worst defensive rating in the league at 110.3, but the Valkyries struggled throughout the night to establish an offensive rhythm. The Valkyries capitalized on Sky miscues with 16 points off turnovers. It was the kind of game the Valkyries don't win without Thornton. For all the talk of being a team without a star, the veteran forward sure is emerging as the Valkyries go-to scorer, defender and leader. That is, at the very least, team-MVP kind of stuff. 'After the loss against New York, it was kind of personal for me,' Thornton said Wednesday's 81-78 defeat to the defending champions on Wednesday. 'So I just came in and had more oomph. But my teammates, like I play for them, I play for the city, I play for these wonderful fans out there that give us energy. So shout out to them, because they get me going. My teammates get me going. My coaches get me going, and I have the confidence from that.'
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Valkyries Coach Makes Honest Admission About Facing Chicago Sky Coach
Valkyries Coach Makes Honest Admission About Facing Chicago Sky Coach originally appeared on Athlon Sports. As Natalie Nakase, hired by the Golden State Valkyries in October 2024, prepared to face Tyler Marsh, the Chicago Sky's first-year head coach, she was reminded of the time they spent together under Becky Hammon in Vegas. Advertisement Both proteges of Hammon, Nakase and Marsh helped guide the Las Vegas Aces to back-to-back WNBA titles in 2022 and 2023. When asked about the "uniqueness of being first-year head coaches at the same time and not calling each other opponents," Nakase tempered the moment with nostalgia. "It's awkward, to be honest, to call each other opponents. When you win two championships and spend that much time together… you learn a lot. You end up really becoming family," she said, recalling late-night texts and shared meals under the Aces banner. Yet, she added, "At the same time, we're here to do a job. This is business, and we're here to win." Marsh, who completed his playing days at UAB and Birmingham-Southern before embarking on a coaching path, cut his teeth in the G League and NBA, with the Toronto Raptors (2019 NBA champion) and Indiana Pacers, before joining the Aces in March 2022. Advertisement Nakase, meanwhile, spent time coaching overseas in Germany and Japan before working with the Agua Caliente Clippers (G League) and Los Angeles Clippers as an assistant, and eventually the Aces from 2022 to 2024. Chicago Sky head coach Tyler Butler II-Imagn Images Coming into the game, the Valkyries had defied expectations with a .500 record (7-7) in their inaugural season, while the Sky have struggled to find consistency, boasting a 4-10 record and the league's second-worst point differential (-10.3). With both teams on opposite sides of the standings, Friday's meeting at Chase Center offered more than your typical midseason contest. Related: Stephanie White Breaks Silence After Missing Chicago Sky Game Related: Ranking the 25 Best WNBA Players of All Time This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
Winnipeg Free Press
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free 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.
New York Post
18 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Valkyries vs. Sky prediction: WNBA picks, odds, best bets Friday
New York Post may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if you click or buy through our links. Featured pricing is subject to change. The Golden State Valkyries have been this WNBA season's biggest surprise, as well as a gift from the gambling gods. The expansion team has a 7-7 record after entering the season with a win total of 8.5. That means they have to win just two of their final 30 games in order to cash the Over. That is the very definition of outperforming expectations. Another measure of that is the point spread. Golden State is a league-best 10-4 against the spread (ATS). The spread is considered the great equalizer and thus teams usually have a record around .500. The Valkyries chose the right players in the expansion draft, but I firmly believe the difference-maker is coach Natalie Nakase. After being a three-year starter at UCLA, her coaching career included stops overseas and as an assistant in the NBA with the Clippers. Nakase also played a pivotal role in the Las Vegas Aces' back-to-back championships as an assistant coach and they are now struggling without her. The Valkyries host the Chicago Sky on Friday as 8.5-point favorites with a total of 156.5 points. Golden State Valkyries players huddle up during the game on June 25, 2025 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. NBAE via Getty Images The situational spot also favors Golden State, which is coming off a rare loss. The Valkyries are 5-2 in their last seven games. Meanwhile, Chicago just picked up a nice home win over the Los Angeles Sparks as an underdog, snapping its three-game skid. The Sky are still among the league's worst and have limited offensive capabilities since losing captain/point guard Courtney Vandersloot to a season-ending injury. Betting on the NBA? That has forced the Sky to play without a true point guard in the starting lineup and their offense often stalls. Nakase should be able to implement the ideal game plan and limit Chicago's scoring even more. The Valkyries already rank third in the WNBA by allowing opponents to shoot just 40.5% from the field. I have a 51-43-1 ATS record in this Post sports section, and my next play is Golden State -8.5 points against Chicago (-110, FanDuel Sportsbook). Why Trust New York Post Betting Doug Kezirian is a New York Post contributor who has over two decades of experience in the betting space, including spending 11 years at ESPN as a host, columnist and betting analyst. He's also the rare personality who has documented success – 14th place in 2023 Circa Million and Las Vegas SuperContest ($37K), two top-10 finishes in 2022 William Hill College Football Challenge ($58K) and also grabbed headlines with a $297K win on the 2021 NFL Draft.
San Francisco Chronicle
20 hours ago
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Valkyries see how Kate ‘Money' Martin can impact a game as a shotmaker
Kate Martin earned the nickname 'Money' last season for her timely shots in limited minutes as a rookie with the Las Vegas Aces. But Wednesday night in San Francisco, she cashed in as a Golden State Valkyrie: a career-best 21-point performance that included a 14-point fourth-quarter explosion that nearly stole the game from the New York Liberty. New York won 81-78. In her first season with the Valkyries (7-7) under head coach Natalie Nakase, a former Aces assistant, Martin has had a few 'money' moments, including hitting a halftime buzzer-beater against Las Vegas and tallying 14 points against the Minnesota Lynx. 'I was ice cold in the first half, so shout out to (my teammates) for continuing to pass me the ball,' Martin said of her fourth-quarter flurry. 'It just feels good to knock down shots.' Martin shot just 26.3% with 4.5 points per game in the Valkyries' first five games, serving as a healthy scratch in Game 5 — Golden State's loss in New York on May 29. And while Nakase has alternated her lineups often, it appeared Martin wasn't in the regular rotation. Then Martin performed well against the Lynx on June 1 and played significant bench minutes in wins over Las Vegas, the Los Angeles Sparks and Seattle Storm. Against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever on June 19, Martin played the role of a shutdown guard. After she went 0-for-8 from the field in Sunday's win over the Sun, Martin responded on Wednesday by showing the impact she can have off the bench as a scorer — potential that will force defenses to think twice. 'She's a great shooter, and she's got a lot of confidence when the ball comes to her, and she's going to make tough plays, and you saw that tonight,' Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello said of Martin. 'She made some shots where we over-helped and just left her open, and that wasn't the plan. But sometimes in the heat of the battle, we lose our focus on how we want to execute. But Kate made those shots, and she's always stayed ready. I really like her mentality. She really was a thorn in our side, and at the end, obviously, they went to her and got a shot off and didn't make it. … Finally.' Martin hit four 3-pointers in the fourth quarter, scoring the final 12 Valkyries points. She cut the deficit to three with a 3-pointer at the 4:35 mark. The next possession, she netted another trey from the left wing to tie the score. With 1:59 left, Martin gave the Valkyries a 75-74 lead with another left-corner 3. Then she hit an impossible-angle shot — from the left again — to cut the Liberty lead to 79-78 with 12.2 seconds on the clock. Golden State got no closer as Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu made two free throws to extend New York's lead. But Martin's breakout came at a time when the Valkyries needed to see it. Golden State was without five players on Wednesday: Carla Leite (back) and Temi Fagbenle (rest), plus EuroBasket participants Julie Vanloo (Belgium), Janelle Salaün (France) and Cecilia Zandalasini (Italy). Golden State's offense once again went stagnant late in the fourth quarter. In the loss to New York on May 29, the Valkyries scored five points in the last 3:11. In the loss to Phoenix on June 5, a late 18-1 run by the Mercury stole victory away. The Valkyries need more than one hot shooter to deliver in late-game scenarios, so Martin emerging as a reliable option is significant. Martin is shooting 31.9% from 3, ranking behind Zandalasini (47.1%), Salaün (40%), Tiffany Hayes (34.6%) and Chloe Bibby (42.9%), who has played in just three games. Martin has played 16.7 minutes per game off the bench, just ahead of the 16.6 from Leite among regular rotation players. Martin is still primarily a 3-and-D player, but she's venturing inside more often; she takes 60.3% of her shots from 3-point range compared to 70.5% last season, and 28.2% of her shots come from within 3 to 10 feet of the rim. 'All of her hard work in the offseason coming into this season is now coming to life,' Nakase said of Martin. 'She had a trainer who not only improved her basketball skills, but also her physical skills. So she was in the weight room. She was doing agility. She was always asking, 'What should I work on? ' And so, again, just credit to her for sacrificing her whole offseason. And now you guys are seeing the results of everything.' Chicago head coach Tyler Marsh, an assistant in Las Vegas last season, cited Martin's experience with the Aces and the Unrivaled 3-on-3 league this offseason as helping prepare her for her new role at Golden State. 'We can just see she's getting more and more comfortable and playing against elite competition, and not being afraid of the moment,' Marsh said Thursday, a day before the Valkyries' matchup against his Sky. Martin isn't about to become Golden State's top scoring option. Still, with her 3-point ability and improving ability to get to the rim, she might be one of the Valkyries' most important pieces during their improbable playoff contention. 'We want her to stay aggressive,' Nakase said. 'It's a credit to Kate believing in herself and her teammates believing in her.'
