Kate Martin
Kate Martin Via Pinterest

Golden State Valkyries guard Kate Martin delivered a stunning performance on 25 June, scoring a career-high 21 points in a narrow 81–78 loss to the New York Liberty, as the rookie continues to prove her value in the WNBA.

Rookie's Fourth-Quarter Surge Sparks Chase Centre Crowd

Coming off the bench at Chase Centre, Martin erupted for 14 points in the fourth quarter alone, nearly lifting the Valkyries to a dramatic upset. She knocked down four three-pointers in the final minutes and played with poise rarely seen from a first-year player.

'I stayed locked in and took what the defence gave me', Martin said after the game.

She shot 7-of-12 from the field and 5-of-9 from beyond the arc, eclipsing her season average of 5.7 points per game and making a strong case for increased minutes going forward.

Liberty's Championship Experience Holds Off Late Comeback

Despite Martin's heroics, the Liberty held firm. Sabrina Ionescu, who had struggled from the field all evening, hit seven crucial free throws in the final two minutes. Her steal with 13 seconds remaining sealed the win for New York.

Breanna Stewart, the reigning MVP, posted 23 points and 10 rebounds, leading all scorers and showing why the Liberty sit atop the Eastern Conference.

'They didn't make it easy. Martin gave us a real challenge down the stretch', said Ionescu.

New York improved to 11–3, while Golden State fell to 7–7, though the scoreline reflected just how far the expansion side has come.

Martin's Career Night Signals Rising Potential

Tuesday's game marked a breakout moment for Martin, who joined the Valkyries as a second-round draft pick. She has been building momentum all season, but this was her first double-digit scoring game in over a month.

Per Sportskeeda, Martin credits her resilience and team culture:

'I've always been overlooked. That's nothing new. But I've got a great group here who believe in me'.

Coach Natalie Nakase echoed the sentiment:

'Kate was phenomenal. She's ready for moments like these because she prepares like a pro'.

Her college teammate and close friend, Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever, sent her congratulations via social media after the game.

Chase Centre Sell-Outs Reflect Growing Fan Support

The match marked the Valkyries' eighth straight home sell-out, a notable feat for a debuting WNBA franchise. The team opened the game with a season-high six three-pointers in the first quarter and finished with 11 overall.

Veronica Burton contributed 10 assists without a turnover, while Kayla Thornton added 11 points and seven rebounds. Tiffany Hayes and Steph Talbot hit key early shots, keeping the game competitive until the final buzzer.

The Liberty had defeated the Valkyries by 14 points on 6 June. To close that margin to just three in under three weeks shows tangible improvement.

Online Buzz Grows as Fans Take Notice

A highlight reel of Martin's late scoring burst quickly went viral on X, gaining over 185,000 views within 24 hours.

'She's putting the league on notice', one fan commented. 'This was her moment'.

Martin's popularity is also being fuelled by her connection to Clark, but her performance on Tuesday proved she's making a name of her own in San Francisco.

What It Means for the Valkyries Going Forward

Golden State may have lost, but their performance against one of the WNBA's elite teams sends a strong message. They held a 76–75 lead late in the fourth quarter and forced the Liberty to execute flawlessly to escape with a win.

The Valkyries remain in the playoff hunt with a 7–7 record, but their ceiling continues to rise, especially if Martin continues to perform at this level.

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