We are now beyond the All-Star break, and the Golden State Valkyries have emerged as one of the biggest surprises of the season. Sitting in ninth place with a 10-12 record, they are firmly competing for a playoff spot halfway through the campaign.
A key factor in their success has been the rise of veteran player Kayla Thornton, who became a star in 2025 despite going undrafted in 2014. This year, she earned her first All-Star selection, becoming the franchise’s first-ever All-Star.
Thornton is having a breakout season, averaging 14.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.3 steals per game.
Thornton’s WNBA journey began slowly after going undrafted and barely playing with the Washington Mystic in 2015. Her career took off with the Dallas Wings starting in 2017, where she played for six seasons, averaging 8.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game. Her best year was 2019, averaging 10.4 points while mostly starting, but despite the talent around her, Dallas only won one playoff game during her tenure.
In 2023, a major three-team trade sent Thornton to the New York Liberty, where she played two seasons as a reserve, averaging lower scoring numbers than earlier years. Liberty reached the WNBA Finals in both 2023 and 2024, losing once but claiming their first championship in franchise history in 2024. Coach Sandy Brondello praised Thornton’s energy, leadership, and winning mentality during her time there.
Following the Liberty’s season, Thornton was picked up by the Valkyries during the offseason and draft expansion. Now in 2025, she is enjoying her best season with career-high averages in field goals made, attempts, and free throws. Known for her tough, two-way playing style, she contributes both offensively and defensively, combining three-point shooting with aggressive drives and strong defensive pressure.
Although her three-point shooting percentage (28.2%) is the lowest since 2019, Thornton leads the Valkyries’ heavy reliance on three-point shooting, a key part of the team’s identity. Her efforts earned her the Western Conference Player of the Week for mid-June after averaging 20 points and 11.5 rebounds in two games.
Thornton brings valuable experience and stability to a team that has faced injuries, international duties, and roster changes. Her leadership, especially for younger players like Janelle Salaün and Carla Leite, has been praised by head coach Natalie Nakaze and teammate Kate Martin.
The Valkyries aspire to become a championship contender within their first five years, aligning with the winning mindset Thornton developed in New York. The team has surpassed expectations, now seen as a genuinely competitive squad rather than just an expansion team.
However, the Valkyries must improve as they entered the All-Star break having lost five of six games and falling outside playoff positions. Yet, they still hold a real chance to make the playoffs in their first season, and they are determined not to let the opportunity slip away.
Thornton’s future with Golden State remains uncertain, but she currently stands as the team’s MVP and a bona fide All-Star, making her one of the notable stories of the 2025 WNBA season.
Statistics are accurate as of July 23rd and sourced from wnba.com.
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Fan Take: Kayla Thornton’s unexpected rise to stardom is a thrilling storyline that showcases the WNBA’s depth and the opportunity for players to develop and shine over time. Her breakthrough not only fuels the Valkyries’ playoff hopes but also symbolizes the growing competitiveness and excitement within the league, energizing fans and raising the sport’s profile.
