JUST IN: Caitlin Clark Sends Heartfelt Message to Kate Martin After Fever–Valkyries Clash.

JUST IN: Caitlin Clark Sends Heartfelt Message to Kate Martin After Fever–Valkyries Clash.

 

In a poignant post-game moment that transcended the hardwood battles of WNBA seasons, Caitlin Clark reached out with warmth and admiration to her longtime friend and former Iowa teammate, Kate Martin, after the Golden State Valkyries topped the Indiana Fever, 75–63.

Clark, who has been sidelined due to a lingering groin injury and missed her 19th consecutive game, may have been absent from the court—but her presence was felt off it. On Monday, she posted a post-game photo of her and Martin on Instagram along with the simple, yet powerful caption: “@katemartin proud of you.”

Their bond goes deeper than current WNBA jerseys. At Iowa, Martin served as Clark’s on-court anchor during their back-to-back national championship runs, earning her the affectionate nickname “The Glue” . Their friendship withstood victories and setbacks, and remains rock-solid, even as rival colors now distinguish them in the professional ranks.

Earlier in the season, after Martin’s Valkyries handled the Fever 80–61 in Indianapolis, both women exchanged endearing social media sentiments. Martin expressed, “I love her,” to which Clark responded with a cascade of blue-heart emojis: “.”

Despite the on-court rivalry, their respect remains unwavering. After a separate midseason meeting—where Martin and the Valkyries defeated a Clark-led Fever—Martin was asked how Clark handled the loss. Her reply was heartfelt: “We know somebody’s gonna have to win, somebody’s gonna have to lose. But we’re there for each other always… obviously happy that we won, but also always cheering [Caitlin] on, always in her corner.”

The latest message couldn’t come at a more poignant moment. The Valkyries’ victory flipped their positions in the playoff picture—moving them into the 6th seed, while the Fever dropped to 8th . For the Valkyries, this means a more manageable path, while for the Fever, the road ahead grows steeper without their injured star firmly on the court.

It’s rare for rivalries to maintain such warmth. But for Caitlin Clark and Kate Martin, it’s always been about mutual growth, respect, and shared history—traits that continue to define their connection beyond jersey colors.

Would you like a player-by-player breakdown of their performances, or perhaps an analysis of how this emotional moment impacts locker rooms and team morale across the league?