“This Is Do or Die” — Nakase on Physicality in a Winner-Take-All Game 7

Head Coach Natalie Nakase spoke after the Valkyries’ 80-69 loss in Game 6 of the WNBA Finals, a result that evened the series at 3- 3 and set up a winner-take-all Game 7 on Saturday at Chase Center. Nakase took responsibility right away, saying it starts with her, and that she wants to go back to the film to see where her message was not delivered clearly. She said the Dream were going to play desperate with their season on the line, and that matching that sense of urgency is on her.

Nakase called the slow start frustrating and unacceptable, and said the Finals is about an empty-the-tank mentality with the physicality ramped up on both sides. She said the 9:30 a.m. start was not a factor, since the team also played at 1:00 p.m. a week earlier. She credited the second half for showing what the Valkyries can control, saying picking up ball pressure and getting Atlanta out of rhythm is what the team has done all series.

Nakase praised Laeticia Amihere for coming in ready to go, saying she has been itching to play, is vocal in film sessions, and brings fresh legs and a different kind of ball pressure. She said minutes at center came down to whose legs were moving best, and that Tiffany Hayes looked fine. On who resets the team in the moment, Nakase said it starts with her, with Veronica Burton as the vocal leader and Gabby Williams adding her voice, and that everyone is authentically themselves.

With Game 7 ahead, Nakase said she wants to stay present, check in on her players, give them space to rest and recover, and save the reflection for the plane ride home.

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Golden State Valkyries | WNBA | Press Conference | Natalie Nakase, Laeticia Amihere | Atlanta Dream | 2026

00:00 — Ball Pressure and the Finals Mindset
00:30 — The Slow Start and the 9:30 a.m. Tip Time
01:12 — Laeticia Amihere’s Ready-to-Go Impact
02:14 — Resetting the Team and Staying Present
04:06 — Matching the Dream’s Urgency and Taking Responsibility
06:00 — Physicality and Empty the Tank for Game 7