"She Just Doesn't Get Tired" — Nakase on Kaitlyn Chen's Relentless Work Ethic

Head Coach Natalie Nakase spoke after Golden State's win over Portland, and much of the conversation centered on depth, execution, and Kaitlyn Chen's relentless work ethic. Nakase praised her team for playing their roles with maximum effort despite missing multiple players, saying the energy never dropped even at the end of a long road trip. She credited the selflessness that defines this group, explaining the ball naturally finds the hot hand because everyone continues making the right reads regardless of who's scoring.

Nakase highlighted Kaitlyn Chen extensively, calling her one of the hardest workers on a roster full of them. She said Chen refuses to leave the practice floor and takes extra reps even when told to rest, crediting that work ethic as the key to her improved three-point shooting and overall growth. Nakase also praised Chen's energy, communication, and leadership of the second unit, noting she leads with joy while still getting the job done.

On the defensive end, Nakase pointed to takeaways of the ball and transition defense as priorities against a fast-breaking Portland team, along with her leaders V, Tip, and Kaitlyn navigating multiple defensive schemes between zone and man-to-man throughout the night. She credited her bigs for finding pockets in the offense and the guards for making the extra pass.

Looking ahead, Nakase discussed the upcoming World Cup break, emphasizing player recovery and staying ready for the playoff push upon return. She also shared her excitement about joining Team USA as an assistant coach, calling it a dream come true and a job she never thought she'd get.

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Golden State Valkyries | WNBA | Press Conference | Natalie Nakase, Kaitlyn Chen | Portland Fire | 2026

00:00 — Kaitlyn Chen's Work Ethic and Dedication
00:34 — Handling Business With a Shorthanded Roster
01:11 — Opportunity for Bench Players to Step Up
01:54 — Praise for JJ's Decision-Making
02:09 — Kaitlyn Chen's Energy and Leadership
02:34 — Transition Defense and Ball Security
03:15 — Navigating Zone and Man-to-Man Defense
03:36 — Adjusting to Different Lineups Against Portland
04:25 — Managing the World Cup Break and Recovery
05:11 — Excitement for Team USA Assistant Coaching Role
05:33 — Kaitlyn Chen's Three-Point Shot Development