Golden State Valkyries Make Unexpected Kate Martin Decision for Indiana Fever Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris Phelps | Last updated Jul 9, 2025 1:26 PM ET

Kate Martin and the Golden State Valkyries have been one of the nicer surprises of the 2025 WNBA season, jumping to 9-9 to begin their inaugural season.

On Wednesday, the Valkyries looked to end a two-game losing streak, hitting the road to face Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever.

The Fever and Valkyries had played once before this season, with Golden State stealing an 88-77 win on the road. This also marked the sixth time Clark and Martin have met in the WNBA after spending their college careers at Iowa together.

Martin is having her best year in the WNBA so far after spending last year with the Las Vegas Aces. Through 17 games, including one start, Martin is averaging 7.4 points, 2.6 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game.

Recently, the Valkyries have been putting out a lineup that consisted of guards Tiffany Hayes and Veronica Burton, forwards Kayla Thornton and Monique Billings and center Temi Fagbenle, with Martin as one of the main players off the bench.

However, after Martin scored in double figures in four of Golden State’s last five games, including a 21-point performance against the New York Liberty, the Valkyries decided to move her into the starting lineup against the Fever, replacing Billings.

Indy starters. @OLLYwellness | Starting Five pic.twitter.com/j8QxKhlViD
— Golden State Valkyries (@valkyries) July 9, 2025

In their inaugural season, the Valkyries will be represented at the July 19 WNBA All-Star Game. Thornton, who is averaging 14.9 points and 7.1 rebounds, was selected to the first All-Star Game of her career.

Following the Fever game, the Valkyries will face Martin's former team, the Aces, on Saturday.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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