Knews Sports 26 July 2025 Hits: 4

Valkyries All-Star Kayla Thornton Out for Rest of WNBA Season with Knee Injury

Knews Sports 26 July 2025 Hits: 4

Golden State Valkyries forward Kayla Thornton underwent season-ending surgery on her right knee, the team announced Friday.

Golden State Valkyries forward Kayla Thornton, who suffered an injury to her right knee earlier this week in practice, underwent a successful surgery earlier today in San Francisco.

Thornton will be out for the remainder of the 2025 WNBA season and will begin the rehabilitation… pic.twitter.com/DTOvTNCml6
— Golden State Valkyries (@valkyries) July 25, 2025

Thornton suffered the knee injury while practicing "earlier this week," per the team.

The 32-year-old's upcoming absence is a tough blow for the Valkyries, as she was named an All-Star for the first time in her career this season.

Thornton spent the 2024 season with the New York Liberty, playing a key role off the bench during the team's championship run before she was acquired by Golden State in the 2025 Expansion Draft.

She immediately stood out on a Valkyries squad that exceeded expectations to begin the regular season and currently sits at No. 9 in the WNBA standings with a 10-12 record.

Thornton leads Golden State in points, rebounds and steals this season.

She's averaging 14.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.3 steals on a nightly basis while connecting on 44.8 percent of her two-point field goals. While Thornton has only hit 28.2 percent of her threes, she's increased her volume by attempting a career-high 6.5 triples per game.

First-time All-Star Kayla Thornton gets action started in Atlanta 💥

GSV-ATL | League Pass pic.twitter.com/vLrt2BT3oJ
— WNBA (@WNBA) July 7, 2025

Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase previously praised Thornton's consistency.

"KT is super reliable," Nakase said, per the team's official website. "She's built confidence through her hard work. I love when people show me that they want to be that person. They just don't talk about it, but KT backs it up with action and that's what I love about her. When she is consistent and vocal, we usually come out with a W."

With Thornton sidelined until the 2026 season, Tiffany Hayes and Veronica Burton will take on larger offensive roles as they look to help Golden State secure a playoff berth.