Coach Nakase Reveals How the Valkyries Won Game 1 of the WNBA Finals

Head Coach Natalie Nakase spoke after the Valkyries’ 68-64 win over the Atlanta Dream in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals, and she credited the team’s playoff run for the composure it showed down the stretch. Nakase pointed to overtime against the Aces, the 16-point comeback against Dallas, and holding a lead in Game 2 of the semifinals as moments that built the team’s experience, clarity, and confidence. She said defense is the team’s bread and butter, and that the staff did a great job calling coverages and checking with the players in timeouts so everyone executed on the same page.

Nakase praised Laeticia Amihere for a fantastic job defending Angel Reese in the second half and protecting the rim, calling her key to the win. She said Kaila Charles was the team’s pure remedy, emptying the tank, leading the Valkyries with 10 rebounds, and hitting a crucial three. Nakase called Gabby Williams one of the best players in the world, hands down, and said she is showing it at the perfect time after scoring 16 points in the second quarter.

On injuries, Nakase said she gave Tiffany Hayes a hug after a hard fall late in the game and will wait for the medical staff’s update. She called Veronica Burton tough after a knock to the nose, and explained how she trusts her players to say whether they are good while stepping in to save them from themselves when she sees hesitation. Nakase said the fans brought a different roar, but the Valkyries need to level up for Game 2.

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

00:00 — How the Playoff Run Built Composure
00:33 — Defending Angel Reese and Amihere’s Impact
01:45 — Gabby Williams’ Second Quarter Takeover
03:07 — Kaila Charles and the Bench Contributions
04:30 — Defense as the Team’s Identity
05:37 — Injury Updates on Tip Hayes and Gabby Williams
07:54 — Fan Energy and Leveling Up for Game 2