Kate Martin Steps into Unrivaled Action with the Laces

Golden State Valkyries player Kate Martin returned to action on the Unrivaled Basketball court. This marked her first game since the season ended for the Las Vegas Aces. Last November, Martin was drafted to the Laces Basketball Team alongside Alyssa Thomas, Kayla McBride, Stefanie Dolson, and former Las Vegas teammates Tiffany Hayes and Jackie Young. Quickly recognized by fans as the new "face" of the Valkyries, Martin has been diligently working throughout the offseason. Today, she once again stepped into the spotlight among WNBA veterans in Unrivaled.

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The Laces' starting lineup featured Stefanie Dolson, Alyssa Thomas, and Kayla McBride. For the Phantoms, the starters were Sabrina Ionescu, Satou Sabally, and Brittney Griner. Joining the Phantoms in the competition were Natasha Cloud and Katie Lou Samuelson. Unfortunately, Marina Mabrey, another team member, sustained an injury during training camp and will be sidelined for at least two weeks.

In the first quarter, the Phantoms won the tip, but the Laces quickly took control with back-to-back three-pointers from McBride. Ionescu responded with a three for the Phantoms, followed by a strong two from Griner. Dolson and Thomas added points for the Laces, with Thomas earning a trip to the line. Samuelson capitalized on a Laces’ turnover and hustled for a rebound, leading to a layup from Sabally. Hayes and Martin made key plays, including a three-pointer and a block, respectively. Ionescu spun for a two, but Hayes and Martin continued to push the pace, resulting in a layup from Hayes and a three from Martin. As the quarter ended, Hayes to Dolson beat the buzzer, putting the Laces up by double digits.

The second quarter started with Dolson heading to the line after being fouled by Cloud, where she scored two points. Griner responded with a three-pointer, and Thomas drew a foul against Sabally, making one free throw. McBride then passed to Thomas for a layup, followed by a quick steal by the Laces, resulting in another layup. Sabally battled into the paint for two, and McBride hit another three. Cloud made a reverse layup, and McBride answered with a three from the corner. Cloud scored a three on the other end, but McBride hit her fifth three-pointer. Hayes grabbed her own rebound and put the ball in for two. Ionescu hit a three from the top of the key, and McBride passed to Dolson for a layup. Ionescu started to heat up, making another three with a look back. Griner denied Hayes, and Ionescu attempted a shot across the court before halftime but missed.

In the third quarter, Dolson opened with a three, promptly answered by Sabally with one of her own. Thomas beat the buzzer with a layup, and Griner followed with a powerful move in the paint for two. McBride earned a layup and a foul and then hit another shot. Sabally drew a foul and made a free throw, while Hayes nailed a three. Martin intercepted the ball but missed the triple. Ionescu responded with a three on the other end, and Martin drove down the court for a layup, followed closely by Hayes driving down the middle for another layup. Cloud sank a three, and McBride finished the quarter with a three-pointer. At the end of the quarter, the score stood at 74-42 in favor of the Laces, with the winning score set at 85.

McBride opened the fourth quarter with a three-pointer. After a Phantom free throw, Thomas scored two points, followed by another two from Cloud and then another from Thomas. Hayes passed to Martin, who hit a three-pointer, matched by Ionescu on the other end. Hayes was fouled, and later, Thomas delivered a perfect bounce pass to Martin for the game-winning basket. The final score was 86-48, securing the Laces' first win.

Game Insights

Kate Martin shined on the court in her Unrivaled Basketball debut, securing one of the two double-doubles in the game, both achieved by Laces’ players. Every Laces player scored in double digits. Martin contributed 12 points and 10 rebounds. Tiffany Hayes had 14 points, tying with Stefanie Dolson, and 10 assists. Kayla McBride was the top scorer with 28 points. For the Phantoms, Sabrina Ionescu, Satou Sabally, and Natasha Cloud reached double digits, combining for a total of 39 points. Sabally led the team in rebounds with seven, closely followed by Brittney Griner with six. The Laces outperformed the Phantoms in field goals, three-pointers, and free throws, with percentages of 56.9%, 44.8%, and 66.7%, respectively. In comparison, the Phantoms had percentages of 32.7%, 36%, and 33.3%. Additionally, the Laces currently boast the highest number of assists among all teams that have played so far, with 23. Their nine steals highlighted their strong performance on both offense and defense.

Future Outlook

More money, more problems, but Kate Martin didn’t seem to have any problems today! She showcased her all-around game and played a crucial role in securing the Laces' first win. Martin’s synergy with her Unrivaled teammates made the game smooth and effortless. The former rookie demonstrated her potential and reinforced her candidacy to become the face of the Golden State franchise. Martin's exceptional play not only bolstered her team's success but also solidified her position as a rising star in the league. Her skill and determination will continue to drive her, ensuring she leaves a lasting impact.

On Monday night, the Phantoms will square off against the Vinyl Basketball Club. The Laces will also be in action, facing the Mist. Unrivaled is set to kick off at 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time. You can catch all the excitement live on TNT, with streaming available on HBO Max. More games and more action—be sure to tune in to the third day of Unrivaled!