Unsung heroes: How Kate Martin, Kaitlyn Chen ignited Valkyries’ win over Sky

SAN FRANCISCO — For three quarters of Friday night’s game against the Chicago Sky, the Valkyries offense looked anemic. 

With every missed shot and turnover, the usually raucous Chase Center crowd let out a collective sigh. It was quieter than usual in Ballhalla even with another sellout crowd watching the Valkyries play against one of the worst defenses in the league. 

The Valkyries eventually pulled out a 83-78 win thanks to a career-night from Kayla Thornton, but it was two young guards that ignited Golden State’s offense in a game where buckets were hard to come by. 

Second-year guard Kate Martin and rookie floor general Kaitlyn Chen combined to score 21 points – 14 of which came in the second half – and played solid defense throughout Sunday’s game to help the Valkyries bounce back after their close loss to the New York Liberty on Thursday night. 

“They’re two pieces that just fit perfectly into how they want to play,” Chicago Sky coach Tyler Marsh said about Martin and Chen. “The constant movement on and off the ball, the pressure that they put on you defensively, it allows them to play big minutes in big moments.”

At halftime, the Valkyries held a five-point lead but were shooting at 34.5% clip. While Thornton was pacing Golden State’s offense, the Valkyries were slow making their reads and made a plethora of errors at the rim. 

Starters Veronica Burton and Stephanie Talbot struggled against a physical Sky defense as they combined to shoot 0-for-11 and totaled one point. 

With her veterans going cold on offense, Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase inserted Martin and Chen in the lineup to open the fourth quarter. 

The young guards did not disappoint. 

Martin scored eight points in the fourth quarter and knocked down two 3s during the Valkyries’ 12-0 run in the fourth quarter. 

“We were just pushing the ball in transition and anytime we got a stop defensively, I was just looking up and finding her,” Chen told the Bay Area News Group after Friday’s game. “Kate was super aggressive and shooting the lights out of the ball.” 

After being resigned to the team just a week ago, Chen kept the team in control throughout the fourth quarter. Nakase favored the 23-year-old rookie over Burton to close the game to direct traffic and attack the lane.

Chen finished with a career-high 10 points and drew the assignment of guarding Ariel Atkins, the Sky’s leading scorer in the fourth quarter. Chen held Atkins to four points on 2-of-6 shooting in the final period. 

“Shout out to Caitlin Chen,” Thornton said. “She stepped up in the big moments. She just stayed ready when her number was called. She came out there, gave us great minutes and attacked the basket when she was supposed to make good reads. Just shout out to her for … coming in late and just filling the role back from when she was in training camp.”

For Martin, Friday’s game showcased her confidence in Nakase’s system.

During Golden State’s 12-0 run, Martin hit a stepback 3 over Atkins that drew loud cheers from the Chase Center crowd. 

“That might not be a shot I would have previously taken in previous years, but it really stems from the confidence that my teammates and my coaches have instilled in me,” Martin said. “You just got to be ready for the moment and just knock it down.”

Chen and Martin have seen an increase in minutes since the Valkyries had four players depart for EuroBasket. Martin’s role in the rotation and Chen’s spot on the roster won’t be guaranteed when those players make their comebacks next week, but Friday’s win showed the Valkyries’ system has the depth to win games they aren’t supposed to. 

“No matter if you’re starting or no matter if you’re coming off the bench, it’s about just trusting every player one through 12,” Nakase said. “Whether it’s (Kayla Thornton), Chloe (Bibby), Kate Martin, whoever’s open, they get the ball. Trust tonight was key.”