In WNBA Finals Rematch Saturday, Aces Lose To New York Liberty, 90-82; Aces’ 6-6 Season Start Features One Bright Spot, Kate “Money” Martin
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By Cassandra Cousineau, LVSportsBiz.com Aces/WNBA Writer
Kate Martin hit the final shot of the game for the Las Vegas Aces Saturday afternoon.
It was a three-pointer from the corner, one of favorite spots on the court for the Iowa alum and college running mate of Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark. Martin’s shot, however, was an afterthought for the Aces as the two-time defending WNBA champs were outplayed in the second half in a 90-82 loss against the 12-2 New York Liberty.
It was the first game for the Aces against New York since Las Vegas clinched the WNBA championship in Brooklyn in 2023. After losing a mere six games in 40 regular games last season, the Aces fell to a concerning 6-6 mark after the first dozen games.
Amid the team’s .500 play, a rookie has emerged for the Aces.
Martin received the nickname, “Money,” from Aces guard Kelsey Plum and Money Martin has become one of the most popular players on the Aces roster.
There are even Money Martin T-shirts. And her number 20 Aces jersey sold out after four games.
A 24-year-old second round pick by the Aces, Martin was an unlikely rookie to be making a contribution as a regular in the rotation.
For Aces coach Becky Hammon, it’s not a popularity contest. Hammon is counting on Martin to contribute meaningful minutes off the bench of a loaded, but struggling, team.
“With Kate, I know exactly what I’m gonna get. She isn’t going to make big mistakes defensively. She’s gonna be solid offensively,” Hammon said. “She’s extremely smart, and her teammates love her.”
That’s high praise from a coach who has a reputation of not trusting her bench in big moments.
But this season is different. With Chelsea Gray, arguably the best women’s point guard in the world missing the early part of the WNBA season due to a leg injury, Martin has quickly become an essential asset to the team. She’s averaging more than 20 minutes per game just one month into the season.
In the Aces’ loss to the Liberty that was nationally broadcast on ABC, Martin contributed six points thanks to three-pointers.
The Aces scored the first six points of the game before the Liberty countered by scoring the next eight.
Plum had an excellent second quarter as the Aces trailed, 45-43, at halftime. The Aces then started the third quarter with a 10-2 run before New York responded with 14 straight points.
The Liberty’s six-foot, six-inch Jonquel Jones scored a career high of 34 points as the Aces never got closer than eight points in the final quarter.
Las Vegas trailed by 13 with about five minutes left in the fourth quarter. Martin had a good look at the basket, but she missed from three-point land and a subsequent A’ja Wilson missed put-back resulted in the Liberty’s Sabrina Ionescu putting the game out of reach.
Martin’s rise to prominence has been anything but conventional.
She emerged without even having an agent during the WNBA Draft. Interestingly, she never officially declared for the draft. She attended the WNBA Draft primarily to support her close friend, Clark.
The under-the-radar talent is not only holding her own, but is a reliable contributor on a roster brimming with talent. After her first Aces home game on opening night, Martin was asked if the experience has lived up to expectations. “I had no expectations coming into the league. I’m here to play hard, and support my teammates,” she said. “I think that’s why it’s been so fun.”
Martin’s number 20 jersey became so popular that the Aces had to re-stock it just four games into the season.
The Las Vegas Aces’ Instagram account recently highlighted her rising stardom, sharing a post featuring posters made by young fans with the caption, “Some wholesome content for the timeline.”
Wilson also praised the Edwardsville, Illinois native’s impact, saying, “Kate brings a calmness and reliability to the court that’s hard to find. She’s a great teammate, and she’s been crucial to our success this season.”
Despite her rapid rise, Martin remains grounded and humble, qualities that add to her appeal. Her signing with Excel Sports Agency, which represents other prominent athletes like Clark, Tiger Woods, Peyton and Eli Manning, Derek Jeter, and Nikola Jokić, signals her potential to become a significant figure not just in the WNBA but in the broader sports landscape.
Statistically, the Las Vegas Aces are 0.7 points per 100 possessions better with Martin on the court than off it. She’s also been “Money” shooting a 37 percent average on 3-pointers. This may seem like a small margin, but with the type of season the Aces are having, Martin’s presence on the court provides the team with a critical edge, showcasing her value beyond the numbers.
The Aces play the 9-4 Seattle Storm next at Mandalay Bay’s Michelob Ultra Arena Wednesday.
