Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase is said to be “fine” after the sideline collapse in Game 3 against the Wings.
It’s unclear what happened to Golden State Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase in Game 3 against the Dallas Wings on Friday, but her team doesn’t seem too worried.
In the final two minutes of a 77-73 Valkyries victory, Nakase was having a heated discussion with an official when she collapsed to her knees with her head on the ground. She was quickly helped to the Valkyries bench while looking uncomfortable.
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It was a worrying incident, but Nakase stayed in the game and called plays into the huddle seconds later.
The Valkyries told ESPN after the game that Nakase was exhausted and dizzy during the incident, but was fine later. Valkyries star Gabby Williams also said: “We’re happy she’s okay.”
Valkyries assistant coach Kasib Powell spoke to reporters after the game in Nakase’s place and said she was “fine,” in good spirits and talking and laughing back in the locker room, according to Kenzo Fukuda of ClutchPoints. Powell couldn’t provide details beyond that, but said Nakase would be ready for Game 1 of the WNBA semifinals on Sunday.
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The match will be against the Las Vegas Aces, with whom Nakase won two titles as an assistant coach under Becky Hammon.
Nakase’s collapse was just a small part of a historic thriller for the Valkyries, who earned their first playoff victory in their second season of existence. The team overcame a 16-point deficit in the third quarter and cruised to a victory thanks to timely plays down the stretch, many of which came from Williams, who scored 17 of his team’s 19 points in the second half.
Nakase coached the Valkyries in both of their seasons, earning WNBA Coach of the Year honors last season. Golden State had the second-best record in the league during the regular season at 32-12.
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