"We Showed a Lot of Fearless" — Nakase on the Valkyries' Playoff-Ready Response

Head Coach Natalie Nakase spoke after Golden State's gritty comeback win over Las Vegas, and the story centered on the team's response to adversity and fourth-quarter execution. Nakase explained the Valkyries didn't have their best start defensively or offensively, but credited the group for staying pressured together and taking it one step at a time as they worked their way back into the game.

Nakase highlighted Veronica Burton for coming out punching first, then Kaitlyn Chen igniting with her floater and finding open lanes in the paint. She called both Chen and Gabby Williams fearless down the stretch, with Chen knocking down clutch threes and stealing possessions defensively, while Williams delivered back-to-back threes and declared she was ready to close the game out. Nakase also praised Kiah Stokes as the team's anchor and safety net, pointing to a key block late in the fourth quarter.

Nakase was candid about her own role in sparking the response, admitting she picked up a technical foul in the fourth quarter after her energy needed to go up several levels, and the team fed off that passion once it happened. She emphasized how the second-half defensive intensity, following halftime adjustments, set the tone for the comeback and reinforced the belief that this team doesn't overreact to adversity, a trait she said will matter even more with the stakes rising in the playoffs.

Looking ahead, Nakase confirmed the team has already started shifting its attention to the first-round matchup against Dallas, saying conversations began even during the in-game ceremony once the opponent was revealed.

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Golden State Valkyries | WNBA | Press Conference | Natalie Nakase, Kaitlyn Chen, Gabby Williams | Las Vegas Aces | 2026

00:00 — Relying on Defense and In-Game Execution
00:14 — Gabby and Kaitlyn's Fearless Fourth Quarter
00:44 — Responding to a Tough Start
00:59 — V Punching First and Kiah's Anchor Role
01:20 — Managing Gabby's Rest and Rotation
01:56 — Trusting the Closing Combination
02:11 — Confidence Heading Into the Playoffs
02:49 — Evaluating the Defense Overall
03:10 — Not Overreacting to Adversity
03:34 — Nakase's Technical Foul and Rising Energy
04:42 — Executing Down the Stretch on Both Ends
05:02 — First Thoughts on the Dallas Matchup