Kate Martin’s Behavior During Valkyries Game Turns Heads on Sunday
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Diverging Reports Breakdown
Valkyries’ Kate Martin Decision on Thursday Leaves Fans in Disbelief
Valkyries’ Kate Martin Decision on Thursday Leaves Fans in Disbelief. Martin had played in the team’s previous four games and averaged 14.5 minutes of playing time. The 24-year-old guard’s playing time and role with the team will be a major focus as Golden State navigates its debut season. It remains to be seen if Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase or Martin herself will ever address the decision not to play her.
Prior to the Golden State Valkyries’ showdown with the New York Liberty on Thursday night, Kate Martin had suited up in the team’s previous four games and averaged 14.5 minutes of playing time throughout that span.
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Martin also started in the team’s very first game in franchise history, leading many to hope that she would be an integral part of the team.
In the game against the Liberty, however, Martin not only failed to get a starting nod, but she also did not play at all. It came as a surprise to many, especially since the former Iowa Hawkeyes guard recorded 10 points, three rebounds, one steal and one block in their Tuesday game against the same New York squad.
Golden State Valkyries guard Kate Martin at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
“No Kate Martin sighting this game,” a commenter wrote. Another one asked in disbelief, “Kate Martin zero minutes?????”
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“Why has Kate Martin not played tonight?” a fan wondered.
A Valkyries fan page added, “Kate Martin had a DNP – coaches decision tonight after putting up a season high last game. I wonder if her pinky is giving her issues again.”
“Does kate martin even hoop?” a poster further stated.
“It’s weird she hasn’t been in with her getting minutes every game and scoring 6-10 points the last 2 games,” a sixth follower remarked.
It remains to be seen if Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase or Martin herself will ever address the decision not to play her in the Liberty game. Sure enough, the 24-year-old guard’s playing time and role with the team will be a major focus as Golden State navigates its debut season.
Related: Kate Martin’s Behavior Toward Teammate Before WNBA Game is Turning Heads
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on May 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
Kate Martin’s Behavior Toward Teammate Before WNBA Game is Turning Heads
The Golden State Valkyries beat the Los Angeles Sparks 82-73 on Friday. Four players scored in double digits for the team, with two rookies leading the way. Fans took to social media to share their reactions to a video of Kate Martin that the team posted prior to the game. “I love my dork,” a commenter wrote. “Most unproblematic player ever,” a poster remarked. “Someone tell Kate she’s 6 feet tall and can’t hide,” a fan said.
Four players scored in double digits for the Valkyries, with two rookies leading the way. Carla Leite—who stayed in France last year despite being the ninth pick in the 2024 draft—dropped 19 points on 7-of-10 shooting, while Janelle Salaun had 18 points.
In the absence of one-time WNBA All-Star Tiffany Hayes, the Valkyries stepped up defensively to make life hard for Kelsey Plum and the Sparks. The L.A. franchise shot just 38.7 percent from the field, with their starting unit combining for only 22 makes on 57 field goal attempts.
As the Valkyries continue to thrive on the court, though, they also make sure to have fun off it. That’s evident in a video of Kate Martin that the team posted prior to the game against the Sparks.
Ahead of the game at Crypto.com Arena, the Valkyries took photos and videos of the players as they entered the arena. However, while Temi Fagbenle was having her moment, Martin arrived as well.
In an attempt not to interrupt, Martin was seen stopping and hiding herself. When she saw a moment that she could pass through, she quickly ran even while holding a cup of coffee.
Sure enough, fans found it hilarious and took it online to share their reactions.
“I love my dork,” a commenter wrote. Another fan said on Instagram, “National treasure.”
A fan added, “someone tell Kate she’s 6 feet tall and can’t hide.”
“Run Kate run!!!” a supporter shared.
“Most unproblematic player ever,” a poster remarked.
Another Instagram user stated, “Best hiding job I’ve ever seen!!”
A sixth follower jokingly said, “Kate Martin is always up to some kind of mischief.”
While Kate Martin brought a joyful attitude off the court, she made sure to contribute in their latest win. She played 10 minutes against the Sparks, recording six points and one rebound, resulting in a plus-minus rating of +9.
Related: Valkyries’ Unexpected Kate Martin Decision is Trending
Kate Martin’s Behavior During Valkyries Game Turns Heads on Sunday
Kate Martin scored 14 efficient points, which was a new career-high, in 19 minutes off the bench. The Golden State Valkyries, the newest expansion team in the WNBA this season, took a respectable 2-3 record into Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Lynx. At one point in the game, she was seen snacking on the bench, and fans on X reacted to this interesting action. The Lynx overpowered them afterward and held them to just 23 second-half points en route to an 86-75 victory. The Iowa Hawkeyes reached the women’s NCAA championship game in both of Martin’s last two seasons with them.
The Golden State Valkyries, the newest expansion team in the WNBA this season, took a respectable 2-3 record into Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Lynx, who nearly won the league championship last year.
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They played the Lynx, who came in with an undefeated record, to a standstill in the first half. But the Lynx overpowered them afterward and held them to just 23 second-half points en route to an 86-75 victory.
Guard Kate Martin, who is in her second season out of Iowa, scored 14 efficient points, which was a new career-high, in 19 minutes off the bench. At one point in the game, she was seen snacking on the bench.
Fans on X reacted to this interesting action.
“Looks like a Stroopwafel or Uncrustable,” one fan responded. “Pretty sure it’s the sweet stuff but not positive. What do y’all think?”
“Low sugar?” another fan asked.
“Kate is hungry after going off,” a third fan wrote.
“An uncrustable helps me feel better too,” a fourth fan wrote.
“Seems like some people have grown their games in the offseason, she’s one of them,” a fifth fan wrote. “Kate’s handle is better, and so is her footwork. She seems more athletic, too.”
“She’s a baller!” another fan wrote.
Playing a pro basketball game is very demanding, and athletes will lose at least a few points during a game. According to the Gatorade Sports Science Institute, players can intake a sports bar, sports chews or even foods such as oranges during games to replace nutrients that have been lost.
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Martin started in the backcourt alongside Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark while at UConn. She developed into a strong 3-point shooter, and she averaged 13.1 points and 6.8 rebounds a game while shooting 50.7% from the field in her final season with the Hawkeyes.
Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark and teammate Kate Martin celebrate after defeating the Indiana Hoosiers for the Big Ten tournament title on March 6, 2022, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.Jenna Watson / IndyStar / USA TODAY Network
The Hawkeyes reached the women’s NCAA championship game in both of Martin’s last two seasons with them, only to lose there on both occasions.
So far in 39 WNBA games, she has averaged 3.1 points in 12.0 minutes a game on 31.3% overall shooting and 35.9% from 3-point range.
Related: Kate Martin’s Girlfriend Sends Message Amid Valkyries Guard’s Career Game
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
Source: https://athlonsports.com/wnba/kate-martin-behavior-during-valkyries-game-turns-heads-sunday