Former Iowa Star Kate Martin Signs Standard Contract with Los Angeles Sparks Guard Kate Martin has been signed to a standard contract by the Los Angeles Sparks after being waived by the Golden State Valkyries earlier this season. The move follows Martin’s participation in 10 games for the Sparks, where she averaged 7.7 minutes and 2.6 points per contest. Sparks general manager Raegan Pebley praised Martin’s contributions, stating, “Kate has made a meaningful impact on our group both on and off the court. She brings versatility on both ends of the floor, competes at a high level, and consistently puts the team first. We’re excited to see her continue to grow.” Martin joined the Sparks on a player development contract on May 10 after being waived by the Valkyries. The developmental contract allowed her to practice with the team and earn a $750 weekly stipend, along with team benefits. Such contracts enable teams to sign up to two players with three or fewer years of service to practice squads, with the option to activate them for a maximum of 12 games per season. Martin’s activation marks her transition from the developmental agreement to a standard contract. In a corresponding roster adjustment, the Sparks waived guard Ta’Niya Latson, who played in 10 games for the team, averaging 5.0 minutes and 1.8 points per game. Latson, a 2026 WNBA Draft pick selected 20th overall, had previously played in the national title game with South Carolina in April. Her departure from the Sparks reflects the team’s efforts to manage its roster for the upcoming season. Martin’s professional journey began with the Las Vegas Aces, where she was drafted 18th overall in 2024. She spent her rookie season with the Aces before being waived, leading to her selection by the Valkyries in the 2024 WNBA Expansion Draft.#south_carolina #los_angeles_sparks #golden_state_valkyries #kate_martin #raegan_pebley
Dream Coach's Defense of Angel Reese Sparks Debate Over Officiating Consistency Karl Smesko, head coach of the Atlanta Dream, voiced concerns about inconsistent officiating in the WNBA following his team’s 78-75 loss to the Golden State Valkyries on Friday. Smesko, speaking to ESPN, highlighted how Angel Reese, the Dream’s forward, often faces harsh calls that appear to lack uniformity across the league. He argued that the inconsistency is disproportionately affecting his team’s performance and fairness in gameplay. “Sometimes she does not get the benefit of the call,” Smesko said. “If she shuffles a pivot foot she’ll get called for the travel, but then you see much more egregious travels on the other end and there won’t be anything.” His comments underscore a growing frustration among coaches and players about how referees interpret fouls, particularly in high-stakes moments. Reese, who is currently three technical fouls away from a mandatory one-game suspension, and Caitlin Clark, the league’s leading scorer in technical fouls, have become focal points of this debate. Their frequent infractions have intensified scrutiny over how officials apply the rules, with both players and coaches questioning whether the calls are fair or biased. The issue of fouling and officiating has dominated discussions this season, with multiple coaches and players accusing referees of unfairly targeting certain teams or players. Smesko noted that he has raised these concerns with the league, though he remains uncertain about the responses or actions taken. The situation has sparked broader conversations about the need for consistency in how games are officiated, as inconsistent calls can create tension that spills over into other aspects of the sport.#angel_reese #minnesota_lynx #karl_smesko #golden_state_valkyries #cheryl_reeve
Caitlin Clark Injury Update: Fever Star's Back Issue and Record-Breaking Potential Caitlin Clark, the star player for the Indiana Fever, remains on the injury report as the team prepares for a crucial road matchup against the Golden State Valkyries. Despite a three-game winning streak for the Fever, Clark’s ongoing back issues have been a recurring concern throughout the season. The latest update indicates she is listed as probable for Thursday night’s game, though her participation remains uncertain. Clark’s injury history has been marked by setbacks. During the season opener, she required a back adjustment after the Fever’s victory over the Dallas Wings. This led to her absence for the May 20 game against the Portland Fire, which she was ruled out of just two hours before tipoff due to back soreness. The WNBA issued a formal warning about the handling of her scratch, noting that she was not listed on the injury report the day prior to the game. However, Clark returned five days later, contributing 22 points and nine assists in a 90-82 win over the Valkyries. Head coach Stephanie White addressed the league’s concerns directly, emphasizing the need for transparency. She confirmed that Clark will be listed as probable on the injury report moving forward to avoid similar policy issues. “Just to make sure there’s clarity and no issues with league policy, I think we will. You can expect to see it probable going forward,” White stated. Clark herself acknowledged that her injury would be reported as “soreness” in future games. If Clark plays tonight, the Valkyries face a significant challenge. Her performance in the previous matchup against Golden State showcased her impact: she scored 22 points on seven of 15 field goals, including four three-pointers, and added nine assists.#caitlin_clark #wnba #indiana_fever #stephanie_white #golden_state_valkyries
Sabrina Ionescu Set for Season Debut Against Dallas Wings Sabrina Ionescu is preparing to return to the court for the New York Liberty, set to make her season debut on Sunday as the team faces the Dallas Wings. The guard confirmed her participation in a press conference following practice on Saturday, expressing her excitement about rejoining the action. “It’s exciting to me,” Ionescu said. “I haven’t had a regular-season game yet, so I’m excited. It feels like it’s been a while. It hasn’t, but it feels like it’s been forever having to watch from the sidelines.” Ionescu sustained a left ankle injury during a preseason game on May 4, which has kept her sidelined since. An MRI conducted after the injury revealed no major damage to the foot or ankle, a finding that aligns with her rookie season injury but with a different context. “I could put weight on my foot, so I knew it wasn’t major,” she explained. “But it wasn’t not an injury. I knew that because of what it felt like. I knew I was going to be out for a little bit, and thankfully I can come back a lot sooner than I was supposed to with returning now.” While the MRI ruled out significant structural issues, Ionescu acknowledged there was some damage to her ankle. However, she emphasized that the injury responded quickly to treatment, and it will not require further intervention or surgery. “Once it healed, I’m good to go,” she said. “I’m really excited to be back and work myself back into feeling good as it continues to heal.” Ionescu participated in practice this week, though she was labeled as questionable for the Liberty’s Thursday game against the Golden State Valkyries. She was ultimately ruled out for that matchup but remains optimistic about her readiness for Sunday’s contest.#dallas_wings #chris_demarco #new_york_liberty #sabrina_ionescu #golden_state_valkyries
Golden State Valkyries Dominate New York Liberty in Season Opener, Spoiling Satou Sabally's Debut The Golden State Valkyries delivered a commanding performance in their Thursday night matchup against the New York Liberty, securing an 87-70 victory that overshadowed Satou Sabally’s season debut. Gabby Williams led the way for Golden State, scoring 16 points to anchor a balanced offensive attack. The Valkyries, who entered the game with a 3-1 record, extended their dominance by outscoring the Liberty 18-9 in the first six minutes and maintaining a comfortable lead throughout the contest. New York, which had averaged a league-leading 100 points in its first four games of the season, struggled to find rhythm against Golden State’s disciplined defense. The Liberty’s offense, which had previously showcased explosive scoring, was held to just 24 points from beyond the arc, with the team shooting 6 for 24 on three-point attempts. Golden State’s depth proved decisive, as five players finished with double-figure scoring contributions, showcasing the team’s ability to distribute the ball effectively. Sabally, a high-profile free agent signed by the Liberty in the offseason, made her debut in the game but was limited to five points in nearly 16 1/2 minutes. The 27-year-old forward, who had previously suffered a concussion during Game 3 of the WNBA Finals last season, started the game and received a warm ovation from the crowd upon her introduction. However, her impact was muted, as the Liberty’s offense continued to grapple with inconsistencies. New York’s struggles were compounded by the absence of key players, including starters Sabrina Ionescu (foot injury) and Betnijah Laney-Hamilton (personal reasons).#breanna_stewart #satou_sabally #new_york_liberty #golden_state_valkyries #gabby_williams
Valkyries blow out Liberty, 87-70, in Satou Sabally's New York debut The Golden State Valkyries defeated the New York Liberty 87-70 in Thursday’s game at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, marking Satou Sabally’s debut with her new team. Sabally, who missed all of the 2026 Unrivaled season after sustaining a concussion during Game 3 of the 2025 WNBA Finals against the Las Vegas Aces, played 16 minutes in her first game since October 2025. She recorded five points, four rebounds, and two assists. The Liberty, meanwhile, struggled in the first quarter, trailing 25-15, with most of their scoring coming from Pauline Astier (seven points) and Breanna Stewart (four points). Gabby Williams led the Valkyries with 16 points, shooting 4-of-6 from beyond the arc. Veronica Burton and Kaila Charles each added 13 points, with Burton contributing four rebounds and seven assists, including three 3-pointers. Charles tallied seven rebounds. The Valkyries extended their season record to 3-1 and improved their road record to 2-0. Sabally’s 3-pointer in the third quarter cut the Valkyries’ lead to 42-37, but Golden State quickly reestablished a double-digit advantage, and New York could not close the gap. Stewart finished with a game-high 18 points and nine rebounds for the Liberty, while Jonquel Jones added 16 points, eight rebounds, and three assists. The Liberty fell to 3-2. Both Sabally and Sabrina Ionescu, who missed the game due to a left foot injury sustained during the preseason, were game-time decisions. Ionescu remains sidelined, while Sabally continues to recover from a cyst and regain her conditioning. Sabally’s performance in her debut highlighted her previous contributions. Last season with the Phoenix Mercury, she averaged 16.3 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.#satou_sabally #new_york_liberty #golden_state_valkyries #brooklyns_barclays_center #pauline_astier
