Golden State Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase briefly collapsed on the court during Friday’s playoff victory over the Dallas Wings.
Nakase, 46, fell to her hands and knees while talking with a referee during a fourth-quarter timeout at Chase Center in San Francisco. Moments later, others helped her up and appeared to put a hand on her head.
She coached the rest of the game, Game 3 of the first round of the WNBA playoffs, and the Valkyries won 77-73. She did not speak to reporters afterward, as head coaches are normally expected to do.
Assistant coach Kasib Powell, who spoke to the media in his place, said Nakase was “fine.”
“Natalie is fine,” Powell said. “Obviously, it’s quick. We’re playing again on Sunday. She wouldn’t miss it for anything.”
“We’ll know more as we go along, but I think she’s absolutely fine.” he added. “She’s talking, she’s laughing in the back. We can’t wait to get ready and get ready for Sunday.”
Powell said Nakase will coach Sunday’s game against the Las Vegas Aces, the defending champions. The series opens in San Francisco.
“We know she’ll be ready for Sunday,” Powell said.
The winner of the series will advance to the WNBA Finals to face either eighth-seeded Liberty or fourth-seeded Dream.
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