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WNBA Sends Exciting Message After Valkyries' Second Straight Win

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Paolo Songco | Last updated Jun 10, 2025 10:02 AM ET

The Golden State Valkyries made it back-to-back wins on Monday night. Their 89-81 overtime victory over the Los Angeles Sparks marked their second straight win following their surprising 95-68 blowout over the Las Vegas Aces on Saturday.

It was Kayla Thornton who came up big for Golden State in this one as the veteran forward dropped an impressive 18-point, 11-rebound double-double for the Valkyries with an assist, a steal, zero turnovers and two triples in 35 minutes of play.

More importantly, Thornton came up big for her team in crunch time. This included a dagger three with 37.9 seconds remaining in the extra period to put the Valkyries up by six points.

The WNBA posted on social media shortly after the final buzzer, announcing Thornton as the Top Performer of the game.

"Kayla Thornton came through in the clutch! Her double-double (18 PTS, 11 REB) lifted the Valkyries past the Sparks for their second straight win," the league posted on X.

FINAL SCORE AND TOP PERFORMER

Kayla Thornton came through in the clutch! Her double-double (18 PTS, 11 REB) lifted the Valkyries past the Sparks for their second straight win.

WNBA Commissioner's Cup presented by @coinbase pic.twitter.com/dT8SMkpatt
— WNBA (@WNBA) June 10, 2025

Thornton has been pivotal for the Valkyries' success this season. In nine games played, the one-time WNBA champion forward has averaged 13.6 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.1 steals (second in the league), while also knocking down 1.4 triples per game.

Thanks to her heroics on Monday night, Golden State has improved to 4-5 on the season. They now occupy the No. 8 spot in the WNBA, and while there is still a long way to go this season, it appears that the Valkyries might just have it in them to fight for a playoff spot in their inaugural WNBA season.

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

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