Valkyries Announce Unfortunate Kate Martin Injury Update Before 3rd WNBA Season
The Golden State Valkyries made history in Year 1 and Kate Martin was part of it. Martin was acquired by Golden State in the 2024 WNBA expansion draft from the Las Vegas Aces, where she was selected 18th overall in 2024 out of the University of Iowa. She quickly became one of the defining personalities of a franchise that wasted no time finding its identity in the WNBA.
The Valkyries became the first team in WNBA history to qualify for the playoffs in their inaugural season, finishing 23-21 in the regular season before being swept by the Minnesota Lynx in the first round. Martin contributed throughout, averaging 6.2 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.0 assist per game in her first season in San Francisco. It was a notable jump from the 2.6 points and 1.6 rebounds she averaged in her Las Vegas debut.
Heading into her third season, the 25-year-old was poised for a bigger role as one of only two inaugural Valkyries retained on the roster.
The preseason offered encouraging signs. Martin was named to the starting five for Golden State's lone preseason game against the Seattle Storm alongside Tiffany Hayes, Veronica Burton, Kayla Thornton and Kiah Stokes. She finished with eight points and seven rebounds, helping Golden State secure a narrow 78-76 win. However, that momentum has now hit a wall.
Per ESPN's Kendra Andrews, the Valkyries confirmed Tuesday that Martin has been diagnosed with a Grade 2 quad strain. She will be re-evaluated in one week, on May 5.
Kate Martin has been diagnose with a grade two quad strain, per Valkyries. She will be diagnosed in one week (May 5).
— Kendra Andrews (@kendra__andrews) April 28, 2026
Golden State doesn't have any more preseason games, but the Valks' season opens May 8, so depending on her what her evaluation says, Martin could be at risk at…
It's a tough blow for the Valkyries, who will open their 2026 season on the road against the Storm on May 8, just three days after Martin's evaluation date.
With no additional preseason games on the schedule, there is no runway left to ease her back in. If the May 5 evaluation clears her, she would be working against a tight timeline to be game-ready for opening night. If it doesn't, she risks missing the first days of the regular season entirely.
A Grade 2 muscle strain, characterized by a partial tear of the muscle fibers, typically carries a two-to-four week recovery window, though individual timelines can vary depending on rehabilitation progress.
The best-case scenario has Martin returning the following week after the season starts, potentially in time for the Valkyries' home opener against the Phoenix Mercury on May 10 or shortly after.
The Valkyries will hope the first evaluation brings good news and that she can return to action before the team's schedule fills up.
Golden State opens the regular season at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, with tip-off set for 10 p.m. ET.
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This story was originally published April 28, 2026 at 3:25 PM.