“Job’s Not Done” — Nakase Reflects on the Valkyries’ Finals Berth in Year Two

Head Coach Natalie Nakase spoke after Golden State’s overtime win over the Las Vegas Aces that sent the Valkyries to the Finals in just their second season, and she called it a dream come true. Nakase said that when you love something and put in the amount of time the staff has, big dreams can come true, but she made it clear the job is not done.

Nakase praised all 14 players for showing another level of fight, saying overtime proved the value of strength in numbers. She explained that the defense found its footing in the second half, holding Las Vegas to seven points in the third quarter after the team felt tight early. At halftime, the message was to come closer together, huddle up, grab hands, and communicate.

The conversation turned emotional when Nakase reflected on returning to Las Vegas, where she spent years on Becky Hammon’s staff. She called it bittersweet, saying the people there are family. She credited Hammon for showing that leading with your heart makes players run through a wall for you, and praised A’ja Wilson as one of the most genuine people she has met. Nakase also said Kiah Stokes and Tiffany Hayes provided valuable insight from their time with the Aces, with Stokes even leading timeouts.

Nakase gave credit to Veronica Burton and Gabby Williams for leading the huddle before overtime, saying it was the players who rallied the group. She also explained why strength in numbers is the team’s superpower, saying the style is to play as hard as possible for 40 minutes and that rotating deeper protects players’ health. With eight days before the Finals, her focus is rest and recovery, and she credited her staff, many of whom lost their voices, for pushing past their limits.

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

00:00 — A Dream Come True: Going to the Finals in Year Two
00:39 — Never Celebrating Before the Buzzer
01:29 — Emptying the Tank in Overtime
01:50 — The Second Half Defensive Turnaround
02:26 — A Bittersweet Return to Las Vegas
04:15 — What Nakase Took From Becky Hammon and Her Time With the Aces
05:14 — A’ja Wilson’s Authenticity and Impact
06:14 — Leaning on Kiah Stokes and Tip Hayes’ Insight
07:13 — The Overtime Huddle Led by V and Gabby
08:11 — Reflecting on History and Old Friends
10:05 — Why Strength in Numbers Is the Superpower
11:22 — The Hard Work Behind the Finals Berth