
Kayla Thornton out for the season with knee injury
Golden State Valkyries forward Kayla Thornton will be out for the rest of the season with a knee injury, the team announced Friday.
She sustained the injury in practice earlier this week and underwent surgery Friday. The team said the procedure was successful.
It's a tough loss for Golden State. Thornton is the Valkyries' leading scorer, averaging 14 points, seven rebounds and 1.5 assists this season. The veteran is in her 10th season in the WNBA and played in her first All-Star Game last weekend, becoming the expansion team's first All-Star.
With Thornton at the helm, Golden State had been surprising the league. Before her exit, the Valkyries (10-12) were in playoff contention. They have led the league in attendance this season.
Before being drafted by the Valkyries at the expansion draft last December, Thornton won the WNBA title with the New York Liberty and has previously played for the Dallas Wings and the Washington Mystics.
___
AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Diana Taurasi revealed her bold response to sex toys on the court
Over the past few days, the WNBA has had several incidents involving unruly spectators unexpectedly throwing sex toys onto the court during games. There are a few theories as to why this keeps happening, though it is a continued problem that has now happened at several arenas around the league. One of the most recent incidents may have targeted Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, who shared her 5-word reaction on social media. It's unclear what the players should do as this keeps happening, but two-time WNBA Finals MVP and longtime Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi shared exactly how she would react. More: The green NSFW items throwing controversy at WNBA games, explained During an interview with Front Office Sports that will come out later today, the 2009 WNBA MVP shared her thoughts. Note that just because Taurasi said this is what she would do does not mean others should follow suit. Here is what she said she would do if she found herself in that situation during her career: "I would have picked that thing up and thrown it right back at them." That is, perhaps, the most Taurasi response imaginable and would have made for quite a moment.


Newsweek
an hour ago
- Newsweek
Mets' Carlos Mendoza Sends 3-Word Pete Alonso Message With Free Agency Looming
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The New York Mets signed Pete Alonso to a two-year, $54 million deal in free agency, keeping him on the team for at least one more season. Alonso's deal has a player option after this season, and he seems destined to find a great deal in free agency following a great season. Alonso is having one of his best seasons, and he has continued to provide Mets fans with memorable moments. He is approaching another key moment in his Mets career. Alonso has 251 career home runs and is just two home runs shy of breaking Darryl Strawberry's franchise record. With Alonso so close to the record, and his time in Queens potentially coming to an end in a few months, manager Carlos Mendoza spoke on what it would mean for Alonso to break the record at home. NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 01: Pete Alonso #20 of the New York Mets rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run during the seventh inning of the game against the San Francisco... NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 01: Pete Alonso #20 of the New York Mets rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run during the seventh inning of the game against the San Francisco Giants at Citi Field on August 01, 2025 in New York City. More"It'd be special," Mendoza said, per Newsday's Laura Albanese. The Mets could have committed to Alonso last offseason, but now the price to keep him around will be higher. He has a .267/.355/.512 slash line and 25 home runs. His power is still there, but he is hitting for a higher average. Alonso is playing every day and was named an All-Star for the fifth time in his career this year. He should have plenty of suitors on the open market. Alonso should realistically break the record sometime in the next week or two. After Wednesday's home game against the Cleveland Guardians, the Mets are going on the road to face the Milwaukee Brewers. Alonso had a memorable home run to save the Mets' season in Milwaukee last year and could break the record there. "I don't want to put too much pressure on it ... It's going to happen and if it happens in the next couple days, that means we're in a good place," Mendoza continued, per Albanese. "But I think it'd be special to do it here." Alonso has established himself as one of the best home run hitters in baseball. If this is his final season with the Mets, then breaking the home run record at Citi Field would certainly be a special moment. More MLB: Yankees' Aaron Boone Offers Odd Explanation for Sticking With Devin Williams in Loss


USA Today
2 hours ago
- USA Today
Sex toys are being thrown on WNBA courts. Timeline of 'ridiculous' events
With a month left in the season, the WNBA is getting increased visibility, but it's not because of the tight playoff races or three of the league's stars being injured. The sports world is talking about objects being thrown on the court, specifically green neon sex toys. Over the past two weeks there have been three incidents during which a sex toy has been thrown on a WNBA court during live game action. The latest incident happened Tuesday night in a game between the Indiana Fever and the Los Angeles Sparks at Arena in L.A. "It's ridiculous, it's dumb, it's stupid," Sparks coach Lynne Roberts said after the game. "It's also dangerous. Player safety is No. 1, respecting the game, all those things. I think it's really stupid." Roberts' reaction is starting to become the norm, especially if the trend continues. Here is a timeline of events: July 29: Valkyries at Dream The first incident occurred on July 29 during the fourth quarter of the Atlanta Dream's game against the Golden State Valkyries at the Gateway Center Arena in College Park, Georgia. A 23-year-old man, Delbert Carver, was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct, public indecency/indecent exposure and criminal trespass. Aug. 1: Valkyries at Sky During the Valkyries' game against the Sky at Wintrust Arena in Chicago on Aug. 1, another sex toy was thrown onto the court. Officials stopped play when the toy was heaved from the stands and landed by a baseline near the Sky's basket. An official kicked the toy away, and a Sky staffer quickly removed it. Aug. 5: Fever at Sparks With two minutes remaining in the second quarter of Tuesday's game, a sex toy landed on the court in the lane near Fever forward Sophie Cunningham, who earlier in the week went on social media to plead with fans not to throw things on the floor and posted another reaction after the game. Sparks guard Kelsey Plum kicking it into the stands. WNBA response to sex toys being thrown during games Each WNBA team has policies and security procedures about what spectators can and cannot bring into a specific arena. The league strongly encourages fans not to bring bags into venues, and every bag that is allowed within certain specifications is subject to search. The arenas also have an extensive list of what is allowed in arenas, with the obvious items such as weapons, fireworks, hazardous items, and tools being prohibited. The WNBA has issued warnings against any fan throwing objects on the court, saying violators would be "immediately ejected and face a minimum one-year ban," and could face charges from authorities. "The safety and well-being of everyone in our arenas is a top priority for our league," the WNBA said in a statement. "Objects of any kind thrown onto the court or in the seating area can pose a safety risk for players, game officials, and fans. In line with WNBA Arena Security Standards, any fan who intentionally throws an object onto the court will be immediately ejected and face a minimum one-year ban in addition to being subject to arrest and prosecution by local authorities."