Kate

Martin

Martin scored in double figures for the second straight game and third time in the last four games in the Valkyries’ win over the Liberty. Once again, the three-point shot played a massive role in her scoring production, as she notched three triples in consecutive games. The second-year guard’s minutes haven’t been substantial, but have been consistent — she continues to be a difference-maker off the bench throughout Golden State’s four-game win streak, and will likely keep receiving opportunities to produce down the stretch of the 2025 regular season.

Martin hit the most consequential shot of the game, the shot that changed the momentum of the game for good after the Fever hung around the Valkyries for the majority of the second half. With 7:11 left in the fourth quarter, Martin was given the ball on a shovel pass from Temi Fágbénlé. Aerial Powers went over Fágbénlé’s screen but was too late. Martin shot the left wing three-pointer almost immediately. Martin fell to the ground and was fouled on the play by Powers and that four-point play set up an 11-0 run that took the Valkyries into the final five minutes of the game.

Sunday’s game will be the fifth Zandalasini has missed with a calf injury. Iliana Rupert has been her replacement in the starting lineup for the last three, most recently playing 27 minutes in Saturday’s win over the Mystics. Kate Martin can also absorb some of the minutes that would typically go to Zandalasini.

With Tiffany Hayes and Carla Leite both ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Wings, Kaila Charles gets her first start as a member of the Valkyries. Charles provided meaningful minutes off the bench against the Mercury on Friday night adding nine points and five rebounds in 26 minutes. With Charles moving to the starting lineup, head coach Natalie Nakase will have to call upon guards Kate Martin and Kaitlyn Chen.

Leite left the Valkyries’ Friday game against the Mercury at the beginning of the fourth quarter. While Leite was previously ruled questionable, she has been downgraded to out. Without Leite and Tiffany Hayes available for Sunday afternoon’s game against the Wings, the Valkyries will have to rely upon Kaila Charles, who gets the start, in addition to Kate Martin and Kaitlyn Chen.

After previously being questionable for the Valkyries game on Sunday against the Wings, Hayes has been since downgraded to out. She left her team’s game on Friday night with 7:17 left in the third quarter when she collided into Mercury wing Kahleah Copper. Kaila Charles will take Hayes’ place in the starting lineup on Sunday, getting her first start since joining the Valkyries. Head coach Natalie Nakase will be calling on more minutes from other guards Kate Martin and Kaitlyn Chen while Golden State will also be without Carla Leite in addition to Hayes.

Leite exited Friday night’s game against the Mercury with 8:20 minutes left in the fourth quarter with an ankle injury. It wasn’t blatantly obvious as to which play Leite sustained her injury, but guards Kate Martin and Kaitlyn Chen stayed in the game for extended minutes shortly after Leite was subbed out.

With 7:17 left in the third quarter, Hayes collided into Phoenix Mercury wing Kahleah Copper while Hayes was defending her and trying to intercept a pass intended for Copper. Hayes was down on the floor for a while before going back to the locker room. On the play she injured her left knee and she will not return to the game. Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase will have to defer more to her bench guards in Kaila Charles, Kate Martin and rookie Kaitlyn Chen to play during the rest of Friday night’s game.

Friday’s game will be the second straight missed by Zandalasini, who did not travel with the Valkyries to Phoenix. That may also cast some doubt on her status for Sunday’s game against the Wings in Dallas, the final game of Golden State’s quick two-game road trip. That contest will be followed by five straight at home. Kate Martin replaced Zandalasini in the starting lineup for Tuesday’s loss to the Mercury and will likely retain that role for Friday’s rematch.

Martin was another late addition to the Golden State lineup, as Cecilia Zandalasini was removed from the starting five after experiencing tightness in her left calf. With the Valkyries down to eight available players, Martin essentially had the “green light” offensively, and she took advantage. Sixteen of the wing’s 19 field-goal attempts came from beyond the arc, and Martin finished a blocked shot shy of a complete stat line. Her opportunities moving forward depend on Zandalasini’s availability, and the Valkryies don’t play again until Friday night in Phoenix.