Golden State Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase collapsed during Game 3 against Dallas on Friday night but is “fine,” the team said. Nakase is expected to coach Game 1 of the WNBA semifinals Sunday against the Las Vegas Aces after the Valkyries won 77-73 to clinch their first playoff series.
Golden State’s rally from 16 down secured the franchise’s first playoff series victory in its second season.
The main development
With Dallas leading 72-71 and 1:40 left, the Natalie Nakase collapse occurred during a timeout as she spoke with an official. She fell to her knees with her head to the ground. Staffers rushed to check on her before helping her to her feet, and she held her head as she walked back to the bench.
Nakase kept coaching through the timeout and the rest of the game, drawing up the next play and directing her huddle. She appeared unsteady again after the final buzzer, rubbing her head while shaking hands with Wings coach Jose Fernandez and needing help from staff, but did not speak to reporters afterward.
Powell addressed the incident in her place. “Natalie’s fine,” Powell said. “Obviously, it’s a quick turnaround.
We play on Sunday; she wouldn’t miss it for anything.” Powell added that Nakase was “laughing, in great spirits” back in the locker room and was “talking and laughing in the back.”
Valkyries star Gabby Williams, who led the team with 19 points, said, “We’re glad she’s alright.” The team told ESPN that Nakase was exhausted and got lightheaded during the incident but was fine. The Valkyries advance to face defending champion Las Vegas.
What it means
The team provided no additional medical detail beyond the description of exhaustion and lightheadedness. Powell said the staff is “just trying to figure it out” but does not expect the episode to affect Nakase’s ability to coach Sunday’s series opener.
Context
Nakase has coached the Valkyries since their inception and won WNBA Coach of the Year last season. Golden State finished the regular season 32-12, the league’s second-best record, and the win over Dallas secured the franchise’s first playoff series victory in just its second season of existence, following a comeback from a 16-point third-quarter deficit. Williams scored 17 of her 19 points after halftime to key the rally, according to ESPN.
What’s next
Golden State opens the WNBA semifinals against the defending champion Las Vegas Aces on Sunday at Chase Center in San Francisco. Nakase won two titles as an assistant under Aces coach Becky Hammon and is expected to be on the sideline for the matchup, per Yahoo Sports.
Reporting from Yahoo Sports, ESPN, New York Post and USA Today contributed to this story.
