When the Golden State Valkyries signed Kaila Charles to the rest-of-season hardship contract last week, few expected her to immediately become a difference-maker. Honestly, I wasn’t really one of them, but if you saw her during Sunday’s 90-81 win over the Dallas Wings, the former Dallas cut just turned the tables in Arlington. What a performance, I mean! But was it just the fire for redemption that fueled her?

Yes, it was. That’s because Charles logged just two full practices with the Valks before being thrust into a pivotal assignment to guard unstoppable scoring phenom, the No. 1 overall pick, Paige Bueckers. Now, you know that the Wings’ star had just erupted for a 44-point game, so it wasn’t really a small task. But GSV already had the game plan prepared specifically around her, and if you listen to Natalie Nakase, Charles was brought in for exactly that reason.

“Her defense,” Nakase said postgame when asked about Charles’ contribution. “Yeah, we matched her up with Paige, and because Paige just had a 44-point game. We all watched it. We all saw her. She is an elite scorer in this league… Like we knew it was going to be a team effort, so we matched her up with Kai.”

And Charles delivered. While the rookie had been averaging nearly 19 points per game, Bueckers finished with just nine on 3-for-12 shooting—her first single-digit outing of the season. Charles even held her scoreless in the first half. That speaks to Charles’ defensive instincts, but equally impressive is how seamlessly she’s adapted to a new franchise that’s been constantly reshuffling lineups due to injuries.

“Other than maybe two practices, she only had two practices with us,” Nakase admitted. “It wasn’t even really a practice because we’re so heavy loaded with games. And so just credit to Kai to kind of just be herself and on team.”

That “be herself” part translated to 16 points on the offensive end, tying her career-high, alongside consistent energy that freed up Veronica Burton and Iliana Rupert to thrive in their own roles. “I think it was a full circle moment,” Charles said after the win. “I started the season here, and to be cut was sad, but it also gave me the opportunity to get film and get picked up by the (Valkyries). So even though it didn’t work out here like I wanted to, it gave me another opportunity where I fit in a little bit more. So it just shows that everything happens for a reason, and I’m really glad that I was able to win with my team and do well and help them.” Smells like redemption…

But Kaila Charles wasn’t alone in taking redemption!

When GSV took the court, they needed a win to stay in the postseason hunt. Despite having only eight players available, they showed up ready at College Park Centre. Leading the charge were players the Wings once cut loose. And now? Those same players are back like old sitcom characters spun off into their own hit show. Fair to say they stole the entire spotlight.

At first, it was Charles, and accompanying her was Burton, who scored 21 points in the second half when Janelle Salaun was gassed. “Some people may not understand the challenge that can come from being cut… it’s a major testament to come back to a team that waived you this season and play 35 minutes and impact the game,” Burton explained about Charles and how she stepped up.

Of course, both Charles and Burton know the feeling of being cut and then proving their worth, right? While Charles’ wounds are new, for Burton, it’s quite old, as she was picked up by the Wings back in 2022. But you must agree that she left no stone unturned herself, logging gritty 39 minutes. “She’s taking a heavy load on the offense, while she’s taking a heavy load on the defense, credit to her mental toughness. She’s probably one of the toughest players I ever coached, and the fact that I can yell at her in game time, and she respects that. But I also respect her, and her support. You could tell even when she’s sitting there supporting her teammates, ‘keep going you guys, keep taking that shot.’ All those little things, V is always on. I couldn’t ask for a better point guard right now. I think she’s really a big part of why we’re winning, and I said she’s our heartbeat, but she’s also our leader. She is our solid leader right now,” the HC said about Burton.

And spot on! Toughest player she is, as it was Burton who made a layup with 7:53 to play that capped a 10-0 run and gave the Valks their biggest lead of the game at 69–55. And? By the end of the game, she had 25 points with 13 assists and a career high of four blocks vs. the Wings to send them to their fifth straight loss. And yes, that’s her fourth double-double of the season.

That was just five days after she put on a show in a game versus Phoenix, wherein she gave 24 points on a career high of 14 assists—which also means she was responsible for 56 of the Valks’ 86 points on August 19, as she assisted on six three-pointers and eight two-pointers and didn’t commit a single turnover. So you know how she’s “the best point guard.” But while the Valks are up at No. 7 right above the Fever in the standings, they still have to grab another win to break the 19–18 tie and make it to the playoffs. So, what do you think? Will these cuts be able to help Valks make it to the postseason?