It’s unclear what happened to Golden State Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase down the stretch of Game 3 against the Dallas Wings on Friday, but her team doesn’t seem too concerned.
In the final two minutes of a 77-73 Valkyries win, Nakase was having a heated discussion with an official when she collapsed to her knees with her head to the ground. She was quickly helped to the Valkyries bench while appearing to be in discomfort.
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It was a concerning incident, but Nakase remained in the game and was calling plays in the huddle seconds later.
The Valkyries told ESPN after the game that Nakase was exhausted and got light-headed during the incident, but was fine later. Valkyries star Gabby Williams also said, “We’re glad she’s alright.”
Valkyries assistant coach Kasib Powell spoke with reporters after the game in Nakase’s place and said she was “fine,” in great spirits and was talking and laughing back in the locker room, per Kenzo Fukuda of ClutchPoints. Powell couldn’t provide specifics beyond that, but said Nakase would be ready for Game 1 of the WNBA semifinals on Sunday.
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The game will be against the Las Vegas Aces, with whom Nakase won two titles as an assistant coach under Becky Hammon.
Nakase’s collapse was a small part of a historic thriller for the Valkyries, who clinched their first playoff series win in their second season of existence. The team overcame a 16-point third-quarter deficit and eeked out a win with timely plays down the stretch, many of which came from Williams, who scored 17 of her team-high 19 points in the second half.
Nakase has been the Valkyries’ coach for both of their seasons, earning WNBA Coach of the Year honors last season. Golden State had the league’s second-best record in the regular season at 32-12.
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