After suffering two straight defeats to the New York Liberty, Kate Martin and the Golden State Valkyries dropped to a 2-3 record in the 2025 WNBA season, according to an original report from Athlon Sports. On Sunday, the Valkyries bounced back to a .500 record by taking on Bay Area’s Nafisa Collier and the Minnesota Lynx.
Martin, who did not participate in the previous game, played seven productive minutes against the Lynx, scoring 14 points on an efficient four-of-five shooting and grabbing two rebounds. Her most notable moment came late in the second quarter when, with the score at 37-36, she received a subtle pass from guard Julie Vanloux and drained a deep three-pointer, giving the Valkyries a two-point advantage. However, Lynx forward Alana Smith was called for a personal foul for stepping into Martin’s shooting landing area, leading to a review similar to the NBA’s under-the-basket foul checks. Smith’s foul was confirmed, awarding Martin two free throws, of which she made one, securing possession for her team.
Martin started her professional career with the Las Vegas Aces in 2024 and helped them reach the playoffs. She was then picked by the Valkyries in December’s expansion draft, offering her more opportunities to shine. Prior to the Lynx game, Martin struggled to find her form with Golden State, averaging 4.5 points on 33.3% shooting from both the field and long range, alongside 1.8 rebounds per game. The Valkyries will next face the Phoenix Mercury and Alyssa Thomas on Thursday.
Fan Take: This performance marks a turning point for Kate Martin and the Valkyries, signaling their potential to capitalize on young talent and improve their standing in a highly competitive league. For WNBA fans, it’s exciting to witness rising stars making critical plays, which bodes well for the future growth and visibility of women’s professional basketball.
