Golden State Valkyries forward Kayla Thornton will miss the remainder of the WNBA season after undergoing surgery on her right knee, the team announced Friday. Thornton sustained the injury during practice this week, and the team confirmed the procedure was successful.
The timing is a significant blow to the expansion franchise, as the injury cuts short a career-best season for Thornton, which included her first-ever All-Star selection. She was leading the Valkyries in points (14.0), rebounds (7.0), and steals (1.3) per game. In the recent All-Star Game, she scored 15 points in 20 minutes as a reserve.
Thornton, who won a championship with the New York Liberty in 2024, was selected by Golden State in the December expansion draft. She had quickly established herself as a foundational player, serving as a leading voice in the locker room and the team’s primary option on the court.
Source link