The Golden State Valkyries are facing down the rest of the season without star Kayla Thornton, who is out after undergoing a successful operation on her knee. The team's first game without Thornton was last night's sold-out match against the Dallas Wings, and Golden State managed to not only beat the team 86-76, but to make a statement while doing so: this game was for KT.
That was the messaging from Coach Nakase following the game. "Like we mentioned prior, though, this was for KT. We talked about it pregame," she told reporters. "So KT, if you're listening, this game was for you. We miss you and we love you, and I thought everyone stepped up, and we talked about doing a little bit more because we're going to miss her."
Thornton injured her right knee during team practice earlier this week. She's been leading the team with 14 points, 7 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game this season (with an 82.9% field goal percentage to boot), and her presence has been a crucail one for Golden State on the floor.
But the Valkyries have demonstrated all season that it's about the sum of the team, not just one individual player. In fact, though the team's 11-12 record might not reflect it, the Valkyries play with a cohesion that isn't really replicated anywhere in the WNBA — there are no superstars, and the second rotation isn't far from the first in terms of what they can do and accomplish. The team has a deep roster across the bench, something that was on full display last night.
Tiffany Hayes and Janelle Salaün put in the work
Tiffany Hayes rose to the occasion. Hayes, who has played nearly every role she can for Golden State this season (she's been a starter, she's been on the bench, she's come in as the sixth woman), racked up 17 points, 5 assists, and 3 rebounds last night. Janelle Salaün also stepped up to fill in the gap left by Thornton, and added on 16 points, 3 assists, and 7 rebounds of her own.
The team will need to continue to work together to make the most of the rest of the season, but with Nakase at the helm and a squad backed by Hayes and Salaün as well as Cecilia Zandalasini and Temi Fágbénlé, there is little reason to expect them to do anything but exactly that. Nakase also cited the team's improved communication (an issue that dominated the beginning of the season) as a key part of last night's win.
The Valkyries also have the benefit of playing to perhaps the most supportive home crowd in the WNBA. The team sold out the Chase Center — all 18,064 seasons — for the 12th home game in a row this season, and they currently sit at the top of the league in terms of game attendance.