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Valkyries’ Kayla Thornton drops mic on injury return for 2026 season
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- Valkyries’ Kayla Thornton drops mic on injury return for 2026 season
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OAKLAND – With Golden State Valkyries training camp underway, Kayla Thornton is back and better than ever as the All-Star forward looks to make her return to the court after her season-ending knee injury last season .
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After day one of training camp, Thornton expressed confidence that she'll be ready for game one of the regular season.
"Oh, I'm back, I'm back, " Thornton grinned when asked if she had a specific target date in mind. When asked a follow-up if she would be ready for the very first game, Thornton's smile only grew larger. "Yeah, I'm back."
It's been a long road to recovery for Thornton since her stellar start last year as the Valkyries' first and only All-Star in the expansion franchise's inaugural season.
After suffering a non-contact knee injury at a practice right after the All-Star break, Thornton missed the rest of the season after averaging 14.0 points and 7.0 rebounds. She could only watch on crutches and in a knee brace as the Valkyries made history as the first expansion team to make the WNBA playoffs. It's why just being able to practice in full capacity means so much to Thornton.
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"It's a blessing to be back on my team," Thornton said. "To finally be able to go against other people is great… [the rehab process] was some highs and lows. There were days where I felt like I was on top of the mountain, and there were days where I was just like, 'What's going on?' But I'm so thankful for the staff, our medical staff. I'm so thankful for Ohemaa [Nyanin] and our PD coach that poured so much into me this offseason to get me to this point right here."
Kayla Thornton back in the Valkyries fold
Thornton was a full participant at the Valkyries' first day of training camp, with no apparent brace on her surgically repaired right knee. Head coach Natalie Nakase said the team can already feel the energy they missed when she was sidelined last season.
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"It was huge. You could feel her energy. You could feel her physicality," Nakase said. "Like I said, she already remembers everything that we had from last year. And so again, we were able to build even more [this offseason]. We had a plan, and then we're like, 'Ah, let's scratch it.' Let's actually put in more because of the continuity of the returners."
As for whether or not Thornton will be ready for game one, Nakase expressed more caution than her player did .
"We'll see," Nakase said. "Obviously, day by day. You guys understand how I'm just a big believer on health, and so let's just take it one day at a time. I love that type of fire and sense of urgency that we have because, you know? That's how we play. But health is always going to be a priority."
Regardless, Thornton is poised to make her return to a team that could use the same fire and energy she brought last season. With the leap Veronica Burton made in her absence and the addition of big free agent Gabby Williams , Thornton will be much needed in helping those two be the best versions of themselves. Time will tell if Thornton can return to the All-Star level she displayed as the Valkyries' number one option, but if one thing is for certain, she is happy to be back.
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"I still got a lot more to get better, " Thornton said. "But just to be here and be able to be in it, it's a blessing."
Related: Valkyries re-sign Tiffany Hayes to 1-year contract extension
