It’s been a special year for the Golden State Valkyries, who currently sit just one game out of the playoff race and have exceeded expectations in their franchise’s inaugural season. But on Friday, the team announced some devastating news: Kayla Thornton, the team’s leading scorer and rebounder, is out for the remainder of the season after undergoing knee surgery.
Golden State Valkyries receive terrible news amid special season
Kayla Thornton, the Valkyries’ leading scorer and first-ever All-Star, is out for the season after undergoing right knee surgery.
Photo by Scott Eklund/NBAE via Getty Images
Noa Dalzell is a senior writer covering the WNBA and all of women’s basketball for Breakaway, SB Nation’s women’s sports vertical, as well as the Celtics for CelticsBlog.
Thornton was in the midst of the best season of her WNBA career — and fresh off her first All-Star appearance at age 32 — when she injured her right knee in practice earlier this week.
The Valkyries did not share what exactly Thornton injured, but did write: “Thornton will be out for the remainder of the 2025 WNBA season and will begin the rehabilitation process immediately.”
Before her injury, Thornton averaged 14 points, 7 rebounds, and 1.3 steals — all team highs. She’s appeared in all 22 of the Valkyries games and recorded 15 points in last week’s All-Star game in Indianapolis.
Thorton was selected by the Valkyries in their expansion draft in December after being left unprotected by the New York Liberty, with whom she won a championship last year.
Who will step up in Kayla Thornton’s absence?
While her absence undoubtedly sets the Valkyries back, Golden State has been one of the most evenly balanced teams in the league. With Thornton sidelined, Tiffany Hayes (12.8 points per game), Veronica Burton (11 points), and Janelle Salaun (9.7 points) will likely all up their production.
Forwards Cecilia Zandalasini and Monique Billings, center Temi Fagbenle, and guards Kate Martin and Carla Leite could also all see increased opportunity.
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