In a stunning upset that sent shockwaves through the WNBA, Kate Martin, the former Iowa standout and close friend of Caitlin Clark, delivered a career-defining performance against the defending champion Las Vegas Aces.
The game, which many expected to be a routine win for the Aces, turned into a statement victory for Martin and her team, the Valkyries, as they dismantled A’ja Wilson and company in a lopsided blowout.
From the opening tip, Martin set the tone with relentless energy, locking down on defense and knocking down clutch shots. Her confidence was palpable, and it spread to her teammates, who played with a fearlessness that caught the Aces off guard.
Wilson, the two-time MVP and one of the most dominant players in the league, was held in check for much of the night, struggling to find her usual rhythm against Martin’s tenacious defense.
The Valkyries, often overlooked in the league’s power rankings, played with a chip on their shoulder, executing their game plan to perfection. Ball movement was crisp, defensive rotations were sharp, and every player who stepped on the floor contributed in a meaningful way.
But it was Martin who stole the spotlight, finishing with a career-high in points while also making key plays on the defensive end.
For those who followed Martin’s college career at Iowa, this breakout performance wasn’t entirely surprising. Though often overshadowed by Clark’s historic scoring exploits, Martin was a steady, hard-nosed player who did all the little things to help her team win.
Now, in the WNBA, she’s proving that she belongs among the league’s best, and this game against the Aces was her official arrival.
Meanwhile, the Aces looked uncharacteristically out of sync. Wilson, usually a model of consistency, was frustrated by the Valkyries’ physicality and struggled to impose her will in the paint.
Chelsea Gray and Kelsey Plum, typically reliable scorers, were also held in check, with the Valkyries’ defense swarming every passing lane and contesting every shot. By the fourth quarter, what was supposed to be a competitive game had turned into a rout, leaving the Las Vegas crowd in stunned silence.
The aftermath of the game was just as telling. Martin, humble as ever in postgame interviews, deflected praise to her teammates and coaches, emphasizing that the win was a collective effort.
Her demeanor stood in stark contrast to the frustration visible on the Aces’ bench, where players and coaches seemed baffled by their inability to counter the Valkyries’ intensity.
For Caitlin Clark, who has been vocal about her support for Martin, this game was further validation of what she’s always known—her former teammate is a winner. The two remain close, and Clark took to social media after the game to celebrate Martin’s performance, calling her “the most underrated player in the league.”
The bond between them, forged through years of battles at Iowa, clearly remains strong, and Martin’s success is yet another storyline in what has been an electrifying rookie season for Clark.
As for the Aces, this loss raises questions about whether they’ve lost a step since their back-to-back championships. Injuries and roster changes have played a role, but this kind of blowout defeat—especially at home—is rare for a team of their caliber.
Head coach Becky Hammon will undoubtedly use this as a wake-up call, but with the league more competitive than ever, the margin for error is slim.
The Valkyries, on the other hand, have announced themselves as a team to watch. If Martin can maintain this level of play, they could be a dark horse contender as the season progresses.
Her emergence as a go-to player adds another layer of intrigue to an already compelling WNBA season, where young stars are making their mark and established powers are being challenged.
In the grand scheme of things, this game may be remembered as the night Kate Martin proved she wasn’t just Caitlin Clark’s friend—she’s a star in her own right. And for the Las Vegas Aces, it might be the moment they realized the road to a three-peat just got a whole lot tougher.
