El Paso Native Thornton Wins Second WNBA Championship with Golden State Valkyries

Kayla Thornton, an El Paso native and Irvin High School graduate, won her second WNBA championship as the Golden State Valkyries defeated the Atlanta Dream 68-63 in Game 7 of the WNBA Finals on October 31, according to KVIA.

Thornton, a UTEP alumna, won her first WNBA title in 2024 with the New York Liberty before joining the Valkyries through the 2025 expansion draft. The championship victory marked Golden State's first WNBA title in franchise history in just its second season.

In the clinching game, Thornton contributed three points, three rebounds, one assist and one steal in 16 minutes of play. She also connected with teammate Gabby Williams on a 3-pointer during the third quarter.

Williams led the Valkyries with 30 points, including 28 in the second half. Veronica Burton added 10 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists, while Kiah Stokes contributed eight points and 13 rebounds. Golden State erased a six-point halftime deficit and held off Atlanta's late push. The Dream tied the game at 57 with 2:44 remaining before Williams hit a go-ahead 3-pointer that gave the Valkyries the lead for good.

Thornton's professional resume also includes a South Korean WKBL championship in 2019, giving her three professional titles overall. At UTEP, she became the first player in program history to record 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds, finishing her collegiate career with 1,679 points and 1,032 rebounds.