Selected in the WNBA Expansion Draft by the Golden State Valkyries, former Iowa Hawkeyes guard Kate Martin is positioned to see an increase in her playing time this season. After a rookie year with the Las Vegas Aces in which she appeared in 34 games but averaged only 11.5 minutes, Martin’s role has expanded, currently averaging 16.3 minutes per game. However, her recent minutes have declined, dipping to just under 12 per game over her last four outings, including a healthy scratch against the Dallas Wings last week, highlighting a fluctuating role in the rotation.
Martin’s recent limited usage was apparent on Tuesday against the Atlanta Dream, where despite attempting her first 3-pointer of the season, she saw only six minutes on the court. Head coach Natalie Nakase attributed these fluctuations to the Valkyries’ compressed game schedule and the need to strategically manage player minutes.
“We have six games in 10 days. Before the break we had six games in 12 days,”
—Natalie Nakase, Head Coach
“So I’m just kind of being mindful and so we’ll see moving forward because that is not a lot of downtime.”
—Natalie Nakase, Head Coach
Injuries Create Opportunities for Martin in Valkyries’ Backcourt
The Golden State Valkyries face significant challenges due to injuries, which could open the door for more playing time for Martin. All-Star forward Kayla Thornton is out for the season following knee surgery, and Monique Billings is sidelined with an ankle injury. Additionally, Cecilia Zandalasini, who made the game-winning basket against Atlanta, is listed as questionable with a left foot injury ahead of Thursday’s game.
Injury report for the Golden State Valkyries @ Washington Mystics: Cecilia Zandalasini – Questionable – Left Foot Monique Billings – Out – Left Ankle Tomorrow will be the Valkyries’ 5th game in 7 days.
—Kenzo Fukuda, Journalist
With these absences looming, coach Nakase must adjust the Valkyries’ rotation to compensate for the loss of key players. While Martin is not a frontcourt player like Thornton and Billings, she has experience starting in three-guard lineups. On July 9 against the Indiana Fever, she made a start alongside Tiffany Hayes and Veronica Burton, a lineup Nakase also deployed on May 16 against the Los Angeles Sparks. These configurations suggest that Martin could fill critical backcourt minutes amid the team’s injury crisis.
Potential Impact on Martin’s Playing Time Moving Forward
Even if Martin does not start on Thursday against the Washington Mystics, Golden State’s injury situation presents a clear opportunity for her to increase her court time. Through 23 games this season, the second-year guard is averaging 6.7 points and 2.3 rebounds, showing steady contribution off the bench. With the Valkyries entering the front half of back-to-back games and only limited rest between contests, Martin’s availability and ability to adapt to different lineup structures could become vital to managing the team’s workload.
As the Valkyries navigate a demanding stretch that includes five games in seven days, coach Nakase’s rotation choices will be critical in maintaining competitiveness while preserving player health. Martin’s development during this period could shape her role for the remainder of the season, making her playing time a key storyline to watch as the Valkyries contend with roster limitations and challenging scheduling.