WNBA All-Star Ruled Out With Unexpected Injury
The Golden State Valkyries are trying to make WNBA history. Just a half-game back of a playoff spot, Golden State could become the first expansion team in league history to make the postseason in its inaugural year (h/t ESPN).
One of the biggest reasons for this early success has been veteran forward Kayla Thornton. Selected by Golden State in the expansion draft from the New York Liberty, Thornton made the All-Star team this season for the first time in her 10-year WNBA career.
The 6-foot-1 forward is averaging 14.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.3 steals in 22 games this season.
The Valkyries will begin their post All-Star break schedule on Friday against the Dallas Wings. Unfortunately, Thornton will not be available. The team made this unexpected announcement on Thursday evening — revealing Thornton is undergoing further evaluation for what is being vaguely labeled a lower leg injury.
"Golden State Valkyries forward Kayla Thornton is undergoing evaluation for a lower leg injury," the team posted on X. She will not play in tomorrow’s contest against the Dallas Wings."
Golden State Valkyries forward Kayla Thornton is undergoing evaluation for a lower leg injury.
— Golden State Valkyries (@valkyries) July 24, 2025
She will not play in tomorrow’s contest against the Dallas Wings. pic.twitter.com/faKstZXEDr
Thornton appeared in the All-Star Game and did not seem to be dealing with an injury at that time, which made this news especially surprising. Golden State is currently riding a three-game losing streak that has dropped its overall record to 10-12 on the season.
Despite the strong year from rookie guard Paige Bueckers, the Wings enter Friday just 7-17 on the season. This presumably gives Golden State a strong chance to snap its losing streak, but the injury to Thornton will make it much more difficult.
Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA and WNBA for On SI. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined On SI to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts and in the classroom earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Joey covers the NBA full-time, primarily serving as a Clippers beat writer.