Kate Martin Out 3-6 Weeks With Quad Strain, Misses Valkyries Opener Friday

The Golden State Valkyries will play their inaugural regular-season game without one of their most important pieces. Kate Martin, the Valkyries' breakout star, is out with a Grade 2 quad strain. The team confirmed a 3-6 week timeline, meaning she could miss the entire first month of the season.

Martin isn't alone on the injury list. New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu also hurt her ankle during preseason and is expected to miss the Liberty's first four games. The WNBA's opening week is suddenly without two of its most marketable young guards.

Golden State still has talent. The Valkyries were one of the league's most-watched teams in 2025, and the Bay Area market is enormous. But Martin's injury is a real blow to their ceiling. The team will know more about her timeline after the first couple weeks of play.