Natalie Nakase Gets Emotional After Eliminating Former Aces Team

Natalie Nakase clinched the first WNBA Finals trip in Golden State Valkyries history Friday night at Michelob ULTRA Arena, the home floor where she spent three seasons as Becky Hammon's first assistant with the Las Vegas Aces.

Golden State won 87-77 in overtime to finish a 3-0 sweep of the defending champions. The Valkyries outscored Las Vegas 16-6 in the extra period.

Nakase joined Hammon's staff in 2022. The Aces won the WNBA title in 2022 and again in 2023, and the Valkyries hired Nakase as the franchise's first head coach on Oct. 10, 2024.

Before Las Vegas, she worked on the Los Angeles Clippers' staff under Doc Rivers.

During playoff runs in Las Vegas, Nakase said she and Hammon stayed up until two or three in the morning game planning with the rest of the staff.

"It's bittersweet," Nakase said. "I tried to walk through the tunnel with my head down because so many people here are family, especially Becky — she hired me and invited me into the W. I knew I was going to learn a lot from her. Her X's and O's are among the best in the world, men or women. She showed me that if you lead with your heart, your players will run through a wall for you."

"Going against her was a tough challenge," Nakase continued. "A'ja, Chelsea, Jack, and KB — I have history with them, so I purposely tried not to talk to them because I would start crying. I hugged Steph and told her I loved her and was proud of her. I have so many emotions. Those moments were the best coaching experience of my life. Winning here with the Aces — they'll be forever my family."

Two current Valkyries came out of that locker room.

Kiah Stokes played behind A'ja Wilson in Las Vegas before signing with Golden State, and Tiffany Hayes also faced her former team in this series.

Stokes made all five of her shots Friday for 11 points, 10 rebounds, and three blocks.

Hayes scored 11 points off the bench and started the third-quarter 17-0 run by stealing an inbounds pass and feeding Stokes for a layup.

Between games, Stokes was right about the adjustments Las Vegas would make, Nakase said.

"It was definitely an advantage at times," Nakase explained. "We leaned on Kiah Stokes and Tip Hayes because they're in the locker room together, a space I'll never be around. Between games, we discussed possible adjustments, and Kiah was pretty right on. It was a luxury to have that insight and for Kiah to step up and speak up. Even in timeouts, she would lead because she felt confident about what was going to happen. They were more impressive than me, for sure."

Regulation ended tied at 71.

Las Vegas had pulled even when Jackie Young scored on an inbounds play after Stokes blocked a Wilson jumper and Golden State could not corral the rebound.

Nakase usually lets her players talk in a huddle while she organizes the play.

"V led it," Nakase said. "She was saying, this is our time, this is when we leave everything on the floor, this is where we empty the tank. She gave the inspirational talk, and I usually let them go while I organize the play. They rallied. Even the players on the bench were involved, and we formed a really tight huddle. It was V, Gabby, and Kiah. It was them; it wasn't me."

Veronica Burton, the "V" in that huddle, finished with eight points, six rebounds, and four assists.

Gabby Williams scored eight of her 16 points in overtime.

Golden State's bench outscored Las Vegas' bench 27-13 on Friday. Hayes, Kaila Charles, Kaitlyn Chen, and Janelle Salaün scored all 27.

Nakase told the team afterward she was proud of all 14 players on the roster.

"It is our superpower," Nakase said. "Last year we were injured, and it's also the style we play. We empty the tank and play as hard as we can for 40 minutes. Last year I was pushing beyond what was sustainable because I rotated only seven or eight. I reflected on not repeating that situation."

"I don't think it's fair for any player to get injured; it affects your mental health and can make you sad or depressed," Nakase added. "Strength in numbers was key, especially going into overtime when we went another gear. More importantly, it's about people's health."

After Game 2, Nakase walked through the Valkyries' late-game execution in the 83-81 win at Chase Center.

Golden State, the No. 2 seed, beat the Dallas Wings 2-1 in the first round before sweeping Las Vegas.

The Valkyries will host the No. 4 seed Atlanta Dream in Game 1 of the best-of-seven WNBA Finals on Oct. 17 at 3:30 p.m. ET at Chase Center on NBC and Peacock.

That leaves eight days between series. Neither franchise has won a championship.