By John “Woods” Armwood III
A Return Full of Emotion
For Kayla Thornton, her return to New York was more than just another game on the schedule — it was a moment of reflection and a test of how far she and her new team have come.
“It definitely was a lot of emotion,” Thornton said after the game. “I tried to bottle it up as much as I can to be there for my team.”
Playing on the other side of the court from some of her closest friends wasn’t easy. For a moment, she had to pause, to take in the arena that once echoed with her name. But once the game tipped off, there was no looking back.
“It took me a little minute to see that I was playing on the other side of some of my great friends,” she admitted. “But after I got that, it was go time.”
Learning in a Hostile Arena
Thornton understands that playing in New York means more than just another WNBA matchup. The energy in the building is electric and intense. It’s a challenge she embraces, and one she wants her new team to rise to as well.
“Just to be playing in this type of arena, it is a very hostile arena,” she said. “Some of my players are not used to that. It’s a growing experience. You can’t be mad — it’s a learning experience.”
For Thornton, the key isn’t to let the atmosphere shake you. It’s to use it to sharpen your game and your mindset. And she knows this early-season battle against one of the best teams in the league will pay off down the line.
“It’s going to be more of those,” she said. “When we go play in Indiana and stuff like that, it’s going to be way more. I think this is a great start — playing in New York early, again one of the best teams in the league, to see where we’re at and see how we can grow. That’s all you can ask for.”
Consistency and Leadership
While the game itself didn’t end the way she hoped, Thornton refuses to let the disappointment define her or her team’s season. She brings the same steady energy and focus she had during her time in New York — nothing more, nothing less.
“I’m very grateful for the opportunity, but I kind of just don’t look at it like that,” she said. “I feel like I’m the same player that I was in New York. I bring the same energy. Yeah, I might have to score a little bit more, but I still do the small things. I don’t change who I am.”
As for her role as a leader, she knows it’s about more than what shows up in the box score. It’s about keeping her team locked in, even when the losses sting.
“I just try to do everything I can and have my energy rub off on my teammates,” she said. “We might be young, but we have great talent. It’s going to take time for us to gel together. It’s only our fourth game.”
Growth Mindset for the Season Ahead
Thornton’s honest about the setbacks — and about owning her share of them.
“This is a disappointing loss, and I took accountability for it too,” she said. “But we just got to stick together and learn from it. This is the best team in the league right now. So we got to go back on film, see what we need to do, and just get better.”
And that’s exactly what she’ll keep doing — leading her team with quiet intensity and unwavering purpose.
“As long as we can get better one percent each day, we’re on the right direction,” she said.
For Kayla Thornton, the jersey may have changed. But the heart? That’s the same as it ever was.
@KBT_5Blessed returns to the @nyliberty
— John “Woods” Armwood III (@J_Armwood908) May 29, 2025
“Very grateful for the opportunity, but I kind of just don’t look at it like that. I feel like I’m the same player that I was in NY. ... Yeah, I might have to score a little bit more, but I still do the small things." @valkyries pic.twitter.com/HUWkR9RqgG