Kayla Thornton

Kayla Thornton signed a Contract Amendment - Time-Off Bonus with the Golden State Valkyries.

Thornton had already been ruled out for Friday's game against the Wings due to what was described as a lower leg injury, and she's ultimately dealing with a knee injury that required surgery. The All-Star forward's absence will create a significant void in Golden State's lineup for the remainder of the year. Janelle Salaun, Monique Billings, Laeticia Amihere and Temi Fagbenle stand out as the most likely candidates to handle increased roles going forward.

It's unclear when Thornton suffered the injury, but she will undergo tests to determine its severity and establish a timeline for her return. Her absence should lead to more minutes for Janelle Salaun and an opportunity for Laeticia Amihere or Cecilia Zandalasini to enter the Valkyries' starting lineup. Thornton is averaging career highs in points (14.0), rebounds (7.0) and steals (1.3) this season.

Thornton was one of two Team Clark players to register a double-double Saturday, joining Kiki Iriafen, while Skylar Diggins notched a triple-double for Team Collier. Thornton has put together a strong first season with the Valkyries, averaging 14.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.3 steals in 30.1 minutes over 22 games.

Thornton struggled with her shot Wednesday, and that, combined with a day spent in foul trouble limited her ability to rack up many counting stats. After four straight appearances with at least 10 points to open July, she has averaged just 6.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists over her last two outings, while shooting a dismal 14.3 percent (3-of-21) from the floor.