Thornton Shines in Emotional Return, But Valkyries Drop Road Game to Liberty

It was a homecoming for Kayla Thornton as she received her championship ring for last season's title run with the Liberty. But it was a harsh dose of reality against the defending world champions, as the Valkyries saw their two-game win streak come to an abrupt end.

In front of a packed New York crowd of 14,774 at Barclays Center, the Valkyries showed flashes of their emerging identity but ultimately fell 95–67 to a Liberty squad that remains undefeated this season.

From the opening tip, the Liberty’s veteran core asserted control, led by a dominant performance from Breanna Stewart. The three-time WNBA champion and two-time MVP opened the game with nine straight points, setting the tone early and helping New York to a commanding 22–3 advantage just seven minutes into the contest.

The Valkyries struggled to find their rhythm offensively during that stretch, shooting just 2-for-15 from the field and ending the first quarter with a season-low 10 points.

Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase didn’t hesitate to take responsibility for her team’s slow start, acknowledging a strategic misstep in the lead-up to the game. She opted to prioritize rest over maintaining a competitive edge in practice.

“Yeah, and I told them this is on me,” Nakase said. “We didn’t scrimmage a lot in the past couple days. That’s on me. I chose rest over rhythm, and that’s what I get with the first quarter.”

Despite the early deficit, the Valkyries regrouped with renewed energy in the second and third quarters, showing resilience against one of the league’s most polished and experienced rosters.

Improved ball movement and aggressive defensive rotations helped them cut the gap to 58–45 midway through the third, sparked by key stops and back-to-back baskets from Thornton and Temi Fagbenle. Their surge briefly shifted momentum, but the early hole proved too deep to climb out of.

The Liberty finished the game with 14 made 3-pointers and shot an impressive 37-for-74 from the field. They also racked up 30 assists, with Natasha Cloud delivering a team-high 10, and forced 14 steals while scoring 32 points off Valkyries turnovers.

Veronica Burton and Thornton each scored 13 points to lead Golden State. Thornton, returning to the city where she spent the past two seasons, displayed confidence and familiarity with the Liberty’s system. She hit key mid-range shots and battled inside, providing a steady presence for the Valkyries.

Burton, continuing her string of strong performances, attacked the lane with purpose and created opportunities in transition, offering a spark to keep San Francisco in the game. Temi Fagbenle also contributed 11 points and gave the team a physical interior presence.

Thornton’s return to New York marked a poignant moment in her career, as the veteran forward played her first game at Barclays Center since helping the Liberty capture a WNBA title.

Selected by the Valkyries in December’s expansion draft, she faced her former team and a familiar crowd with a mix of pride and emotion.

“Definitely was a lot of emotion,” Thornton reflected postgame. “I tried to ball it up as much as I can to be there for my team. It took me a little minute, you know, just to be back and see that I was playing.”

Despite the bittersweet homecoming, Thornton delivered a strong performance with 13 points, leading by example and setting a tone of resilience.

“I feel like our team’s gonna prove what that comes to, next game,” she added, signaling her belief in the Valkyries’ growth.

While the final margin was wide, Golden State showed promising signs throughout the night. Still in the early stages of their development, the Valkyries faced a championship-caliber opponent riding an eight-game regular-season winning streak.

Their sustained effort and composure after a difficult first quarter reflected a team steadily learning to navigate the challenges of the league.

Though the night ultimately belonged to the Liberty, the Valkyries left the court with valuable experience and momentum to build on as they prepare for a rematch against the same opponent on Thursday at 4 p.m.

For tickets, news, and more team updates, visit www.valkyries.wnba.com.