The Golden State Valkyries delivered a jaw-dropping 95-68 beatdown against the Las Vegas Aces, exposing cracks in a team once heralded as a WNBA dynasty. The 27-point rout, the Aces’ worst loss since 2023, highlighted the impact of rookie Kate Martin, who outshone A’ja Wilson and her star-studded squad. Martin, once deemed expendable by Vegas, proved her worth as the heart and hustle of the expansion Valkyries.

Martin, selected in the expansion draft, contributed 12 points and seven rebounds, outscoring the combined efforts of Aces stars Jackie Young and Juel Lloyd (nine points). Her energy and leadership were pivotal in the Valkyries’ dominance, as they ran circles around a lackluster Aces team. A’ja Wilson, the three-time MVP, managed only 17 points on 5-of-13 shooting, while Young and Lloyd floundered, combining for a dismal 2-for-15 from the field. Coach Becky Hammon didn’t mince words, criticizing her team’s lack of effort and mental toughness, hinting at a deeper locker room crisis.

The Aces’ decision to leave Martin unprotected and trade Kelsey Plum now looms as a catastrophic misstep. Plum, thriving with the LA Sparks, recently dropped 37 points in a record-setting debut, showcasing the spark Vegas sorely misses. Meanwhile, Martin’s poise and clutch play have energized the Valkyries, who, at 3-5, play with a grit that belies their newcomer status. The Aces, with a 4-3 record, are reeling, having been outplayed by a team still finding its footing.

This loss underscores a broader issue: the Aces’ reliance on Wilson’s star power has left them vulnerable. Without Martin’s hustle and Plum’s scoring, their championship chemistry has unraveled. Wilson herself admitted the locker room lacks a championship vibe, a stark contrast to last season’s dominance. Fans and analysts are now questioning whether Vegas underestimated the value of their role players, who were the glue of their 2022 and 2023 titles.

As the Aces face the Sparks next, with Plum returning to Vegas, the stakes are high. The Valkyries’ rout, led by Martin, serves as a wake-up call: championships are built on cohesion, not just star power. For Martin, a close friend of Caitlin Clark, this victory is a testament to her undervalued impact, proving she’s no longer in anyone’s shadow.