Nakase goes down late, team says she is fine
Golden State Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase went down to her knees with her head and hands on the court near the team's bench with 1:40 left in a 77-73 series-winning victory over the Dallas Wings on Friday night. Athletic trainer Katelin Knox helped her up. Nakase finished the game but exited the floor immediately following the final buzzer, escorted by a member of her staff, while her team celebrated at midcourt. The team said she was feeling fine afterward, but assistant coach Kasib Powell addressed the media in a postgame news conference where Nakase typically speaks.[S1][S2][S3][S4][S5][S6]
Powell said Nakase is fine, noting the quick turnaround with another game on Sunday, and that she would not miss it for anything. He added that the situation is still new to them and they are trying to figure it out, but they saw her afterward and she was fine, laughing, and in great spirits. Powell said they will learn more as they go but he thinks she is totally fine, talking and laughing in the back, and they look forward to preparing for Sunday. Guard Gabby Williams said Nakase is OK and fine, that they tried to step up themselves, and that they are happy she is OK.[S1]
Historic rally sets up semifinal against Aces
Golden State rallied from 16 points down to eliminate the Wings in the deciding Game 3 at Chase Center. The 46-year-old Nakase guided the Valkyries to a history-making 2025 season as the first expansion team to make the playoffs in its inaugural season. The Valkyries will host the defending champion Las Vegas Aces for Game 1 in the best-of-five semifinals.[S1]
Guard Tiffany Hayes said she did not see Nakase go down, then the coach was right back at it, even successfully winning a challenge. Powell said she did not miss a beat, that they were locked in as that happened, and when she went to the sidelines she drew up the next play and was in the huddle getting on them about getting a stop, so she did not skip a beat at all. Powell added that the Valkyries kept their composure and just rallied around each other and her, and that they do know she will be ready for Sunday.[S1]
