Particle.news
Download on the App Store
48 ARTICLES
·
6h ago

Natalie Nakase Named WNBA Coach of the Year as Valkyries Face Elimination in Relocated Game 2

Her recognition caps a debut season that took an expansion roster to the playoffs on the strength of a league-best defense.

A rainbow appeared as fans lined up outside SAP Center in San Jose for a Sharks game in 2024.
Valykries guard Veronica Burton had 14 points, five rebounds and seven assists Sunday in Golden State’s Game 1 loss to the Minnesota Lynx in Minneapolis.
Aug 31, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase reacts after a basket by guard Kaila Charles (not shown) during the first quarter against the Indiana Fever at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images/File Photo
Image

Overview

  • Nakase received 53 of 72 votes for Coach of the Year, with Atlanta’s Karl Smesko second with 15 and Becky Hammon and Cheryl Reeve earning two each.
  • Golden State finished 23-21 in its inaugural season, becoming the WNBA’s first expansion team to reach the playoffs and allowing a league-low 76.3 points per game.
  • The Valkyries trail the top-seeded Lynx 1-0 after a 101-72 loss and must win Game 2 on Wednesday at San Jose’s SAP Center to extend the best-of-three series.
  • Chase Center is unavailable due to the Laver Cup, so the team moved its home game to SAP Center and installed the Chase Center hardwood with adjusted seating to mirror its usual setup.
  • Veronica Burton won Most Improved Player earlier this week, and Nakase said she was fined for her post–Game 1 comments about officiating.