Natalie Nakase on Golden State Valkyries win vs. Phoenix Mercury | June 09, 2026

She didn't call it a blown lead. She called it execution in the second — and she meant every word.
Coach Natalie Nakase breaks down Golden State's gutsy win over the Phoenix Mercury on June 9, 2026, addressing the 29-point 3rd quarter, Gabby Williams' clutch isolation scoring, Tip Burn's scary fall, and what she really thinks about this team's identity.
Nakase gets candid about the effort levels she demanded before tip-off, what she loved from the bench unit, and why the Valkyries' toughness, grittiness, and connectivity aren't things she has to teach — they're already there. Plus, she shuts down a reporter's question about the lead, fires back on who Phoenix actually is, and gives Ballhalla its flowers.

00:00 – Effort Levels & What Improved Tonight
01:09 – Bench Unit & Executing the Game Plan
01:43 – Judging the Win & That 3rd Quarter
02:39 – Gabby Williams' Clutch Isolation Scoring
03:41 – Tip Burn's Fall & Playing Through It
04:59 – Defending Against a Talented Phoenix Team
06:30 – Defining the Valkyries' Identity
07:33 – Ball Halla & the Best Fans in the World