"We Took a Big Composure Step Today" — Nakase Reflects After a Physical Battle

Head Coach Natalie Nakase met with the media after Golden State escaped Las Vegas with a win, and she started with an update on Kiah, who had a scary moment during the game. Nakase said she was smiling afterward but admitted she was very concerned in the moment, calling Kiah one of the toughest players she's ever coached and confirming the team will get her evaluated.

Nakase praised her team's composure after building a big lead, giving up ground in a physical fourth quarter, and still finding a way to close it out on the road. She credited her players for stepping up in Kiah's absence, singling out toughness and footwork on the defensive end, along with strong rebounding effort from the frontcourt. Big shots down the stretch sealed the win.

Despite the result, Nakase was candid about areas that still frustrate her, pointing to offensive rebounding, turnovers, and defensive lapses that echoed issues from a previous game. She said the standard remains high regardless of the outcome, while acknowledging real pride in how her team handled adversity and a hostile environment on the road.

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Golden State Valkyries | WNBA | Press Conference | Natalie Nakase | Las Vegas | 2026

00:00 — Opening Thoughts on Composure
00:22 — Update on Kiah's Injury Scare
01:04 — Fourth Quarter Defensive Breakdown
01:43 — On Being a Players' Coach
03:20 — Stepping Up Without Kiah
04:26 — First Quarter Effort and Full-Game Consistency
05:14 — Addressing Defensive Frustrations
07:12 — Holding the Lead Under Pressure
08:20 — Final Reflections and Next Steps