October 2, 2026Updated October 3, 2026, 1:01 a.m. ET
SAN FRANCISCO ― The Golden State Valkyries won their first playoff series in franchise history after knocking off the Dallas Wings in a 77-73 victory, but the focus was on head coach Natalie Nakase after a scary moment during Friday night’s game.
During a timeout 1:40 into the fourth quarter, Nakase fell to the hardwood, appearing to collapse, while having a conversation with an official.
Assistant coaches and medical staff rushed to see if Nakase was okay. She remained on the ground for a moment before being helped up. She held her head as she returned to the bench with her assistants.
Nakase, however, continued to run the timeout and talk to his team, who did not seem to have noticed the incident from their head coach.
Nakase coached the rest of the match until the buzzer sounded, sealing the victory for the Valkyries. After the match, she had another moment where she didn’t seem well. Nakase, who went to shake hands with Wings coach Jose Fernandez, was seen rubbing her temple and the side of her head as she walked away and needed help from her staff.
Latest news on Natalie Nakase
Golden State star Gabby Williams told reporters after the game that Nakase was “OK.”
“She’s doing well,” Williams said. “We’re just happy she’s okay.”
Valkyries assistant Kasib Powell spoke for Nakase after the game, but reiterated that Nakase was “fine” and should be on the sidelines when Golden State begins the semifinal against the Las Vegas Aces on Sunday.
“Natalie is fine,” Powell said. “Obviously, it’s a quick turnaround. We’re playing on Sunday; she wouldn’t miss it for anything, you know? So, I just wanted to start with that, just to say, you know, she’s doing well.”
What happened to Natalie Nakase?
“We’re just trying to figure it out,” Powell said. “We just know that we saw her afterwards, and she was fine, she was laughing, in good spirits. So, you know, I think we’ll know more as we go along. But I think she’s absolutely fine.
“She’s talking. She’s laughing in the back. So we’re looking forward to getting ready and getting ready for Sunday.”
Powell added that Nakase was “locked up right after (the incident) happened.”
“After the game we talked and it was nothing. She didn’t miss anything. I don’t know what brought her to that moment or what happened exactly, but we know she will be ready to play on Sunday,” Powell said.
The Valkyries later told ESPN that Nakase was “exhausted” and “dizzy” during the contest, but added that she was “fine now.”
This story has been updated with new information.
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