Massive Kate Martin Moment Catches Attention on Saturday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris Phelps | Last updated Jan 18, 2025 3:28 PM ET

Kate Martin and the Laces Basketball Club opened up the inaugural Unrivaled season with an 86-48 win over Brittney Griner and Phantom Basketball Club.

Martin, who was selected by the Golden State Valkyries in the WNBA expansion draft, finished the game with a double-double, tallying 12 points on 5-of-10 shooting with 10 rebounds and two steals. Kayla McBride scored a game-high 28 points with five rebounds and five assists.

Unrivaled works differently than normal WNBA basketball. Instead of a 5-on-5 format, each team plays three players at a time. Each quarter also runs only seven minutes, except the fourth, which is played to a "winning score" determined by adding 11 points to the leading team after the third quarter.

With Laces having 74 points at the end of the third, it only needed to reach 85 to win the game. And sure enough, with the score 84-48, Martin hit the game-winning shot on a give-and-go with Alyssa Thomas for a layup.

Kate Martin with the game winner pic.twitter.com/yfols1diK0
— Britttttttttt (@alyciadebdamnn) January 18, 2025

WNBA and Unrivaled fans loved Martin's game-winner in her debut, taking to social media to leave their thoughts.

"Kate Martin making the finishing basket oh I’m emotional," one fan said.

"kate martin game-winning shot iktr," added another.

"Kate Money Martin for the W," wrote a third.

"Kate Martin, The Closer," commented a fourth.

"Kate Martin winning the game for the laces," posted a fifth.

"KATE. MONEY. MARTIN. FOR THE WIN!!" added a sixth.

Martin spent her first and only WNBA season with the Las Vegas Aces after a strong college career with the Iowa Hawkeyes. During her rookie year, the guard averaged 2.6 points, 1.6 rebounds and 0.9 assists. Now, she will be moving forward as a potential starter for the league's newest team.

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

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