The Golden Valkyries wanted their debut season to be memorable. Expanding for the first time since 2008, WNBA announced the Valkyries in 2023. And it was not until 2025 that they started playing in the league. Till now, the Golden State had a mixed outing. With 11 wins and 12 losses, Golden State is currently in the eighth position. But despite the fancy start, their chances of getting closer to the championship have suffered a jolt.
The mainstay of their team, Kayla Thornton, has been ruled out for the remainder of the season. And while this is a big blow, coach Natalie Nakase cannot help but reveal her honest opinions.
Natalie Nakase ‘Devastated’ With Kayla Thornton News
The news came in with the team officially updating about Thornton’s current health assessment. Speaking about the same, Nakase stated that she was devastated. She further pointed out how much of an impact Thornton used to have on the team. The Valkyries’ head coach also credited the 32-year-old for a chunk of what the team has achieved so far.
Now, Nakase wants the entire team to come together and ensure a great performance. This would be, according to Nakase, a fitting respect to their injured star.
“Really devastated. KT is a huge part of who we are, what we stand for and where we are today… what we’re going to try to do tonight is come together and play our hearts our for her,” said Nakase. (Via X)
Valkyries Natalie Nakase’s official statement on Kayla Thornton’s season ending knee injury:
— Kenzo Fukuda (@kenzofuku) July 26, 2025
“Really devastated. KT is a huge part of who we are, what we stand for and where we are today… what we’re going to try to do tonight is come together and play our hearts our for her.” pic.twitter.com/aeTdJR1U6E
Now, coming to her injury, Thornton suffered a brutal blow to her right knee. Reportedly, the 32-year-old was practicing with her team when she suffered the injury. Assessing her condition, the medical team promptly examined her and asked for surgery.
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Kayla Thornton Had Been A Star For Valkyries
Thornton successfully completed her surgery in San Francisco. As per the official reports from the team, Thornton’s rehabilitation will resume shortly. Looking back at her stint with the Golden State so far, Thornton has been a crowd favorite. Featuring in the starting lineup for 22 games, the 32-year-old enthralled the fans to the fullest.
And she had some solid performances to back her hype. Thornton led the team in terms of points. With an average of 14 points per game, Thornton was way ahead of the pack. She also had seven rebounds and 1.5 assists per game, which was again the highest for the team. Thus, with the star out, fans cannot wait to see how well the Valkyries cope with the loss.