SAN FRANCISCO — On a team that has constantly shuffled through lineups due to injuries and absences, Valkyries forward Kayla Thornton has been a constant.
The nine-year veteran is having a career year, averaging a team-high 13.6 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.1 steals. In the Valkyries’ 76-70 win over the Seattle Storm on Saturday, Thornton recorded her third straight double-double after totaling 22 points and 12 rebounds.
With key rotation players Cecilia Zandalasini, Janelle Salaün, Julie Vanloo and Temi Fágbénlé set to compete in the EuroBasket tournament this week, Thornton’s consistency will be needed to keep Golden State afloat for the next stretch of games.
“She’s just super reliable,” Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase said. “I love when people show me that they want to be that person. She doesn’t just talk it, KT backs it up with action. And that’s what I love about KT. When she is solid, consistent and vocal, we usually come out with a W.”
Thornton’s ability to crash the glass and be a consistent three-level scorer has kept her at the top of Nakase’s rotation. On Saturday, she played the entire first quarter and logged just under 36 minutes of play in what was a tight, physical game.
Thornton is 12th in the league in minutes per game at 31.1. No other Valkyrie teammate has averaged more than 30 minutes of court time this season.
Saturday’s win over the Storm marked three straight victories for the Valkyries. In that stretch, Thornton is averaging 20.6 points and 11.3 rebounds while shooting 46.3% from the field.
“I just go out there and do whatever my team needs and do whatever the game brings to me,” Thornton said. “I do whatever I have to do to lift my teammates up and get them going. If that’s my energy, then I’m going to do that. I’m going to stay consistent with that because that’s what my team needs.”
Kayla Thornton of the Golden State Valkyries battles for a loose ball in the second half against Ezi Magbegor of the Seattle Storm at the Chase Center in San Francisco, CA on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Don Feria for Bay Area News Group)
Kayla Thornton of the Golden State Valkyries is fouled under the basket in the second half against the Seattle Storm at the Chase Center in San Francisco, CA on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Don Feria for Bay Area News Group)
Newcomers struggle in debut
Guard Aerial Powers and forward Laeticia Amihere made their season debuts on Saturday after being signed earlier in the week to fill in for the Valkyries’ departed players.
Both players struggled in limited minutes.
Powers, known for her scoring prowess, missed her only shot attempt in 2:39 of action. Powers’ shot, which came early in the second quarter, came on an awkward drive to the rim and missed every part of the basket from six feet out.
Amihere, who returned to the team after being a training camp cut, played just under 15 minutes and totaled just two points and committed two turnovers. She was called for two offensive fouls on what would have been made baskets.
The goal for the Valkyries’ coaching staff is to get both players to watch film and get acclimated in practice over the next few days.
“When we’re on court, we’re just kind of throwing them in a fire and seeing if they can pick up on things. But off the court it’s the iPad, it’s the computer. It’s just walking through with the scout guys and stuff like that,” Valkyries assistant coach Kasib Powell told the Bay Area News Group.
Aerial Powers of the Golden State Valkyries tries to keep possession of the ball in the first half against the Seattle Storm at the Chase Center in San Francisco, CA on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Don Feria for Bay Area News Group)
Laeticia Amihere of the Golden State Valkyries drives through traffic in the first half against the Seattle Storm at the Chase Center in San Francisco, CA on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Don Feria for Bay Area News Group)
Vets shining in new roles
Since being selected in the expansion draft, Golden State’s group of veterans have been tasked with becoming impact players.
At previous stops, players such as Kayla Thornton, Veronica Burton, Temi Fágbénlé and Monique Billings were players expected to supplement the franchise stars.
But on an expansion team, those players’ roles are elevated. So far, Nakase has liked the way her veterans have stepped up to the challenge.
“Everyone being like the seventh woman … They kind of all share that ‘I possibly could have been a starter on my unit’, or ‘I’m right at the cusp of starting’, or ‘If I was given 15 more minutes, I wonder what I could do,’” Nakase said. “I think that is what they’re sharing right now and that’s what we’re giving them.”
Related Articles
Valkyries hold off comeback from Storm, win third straight game
Golden State Valkyries likely to face WNBA star in San Francisco next week
Rookie Janelle Salaün temporarily departs from Valkyries to compete in EuroBasket
Valkyries sign veteran guard Aerial Powers
What we learned from the Valkyries’ overtime win over the Sparks
Veronica Burton of the Golden State Valkyries drives behind the block of Monique Billings in the first half against the Seattle Storm at the Chase Center in San Francisco, CA on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Don Feria for Bay Area News Group)
Former Stanford star cherishes return
Nneka Ogwumike had a storied career at Stanford.
Under legendary coach Tara VanDerveer, Ogwumike was an All-American and was drafted first overall in 2012 following her storied career.
On Saturday, she made her return to the Bay Area.
She struggled, scoring just six points on 2 of 6 shooting. Nonetheless, the 34-year-old forward was happy to be back in the region she called home for four years.
“There’s a lot of great memories, and most of them definitely involve playing with my sister,” Ogwumike. “And you know, beating UConn here at Stanford my junior year. There’s too many to count. I think that any memory of playing in Maples was always great.”
Temi Fágbénlé of the Golden State Valkyries passes in the first half against the defense of Nneka Ogwumike of the Seattle Storm at the Chase Center in San Francisco, CA on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Don Feria for Bay Area News Group)
– Bay Area News Group reporter Joseph Dycus contributed to this story
