During the tense final minutes of Game 3 in the WNBA first-round playoff series against the Dallas Wings, Golden State Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase collapsed on the sidelines from exhaustion. Television cameras caught the moment as Nakase, her brow furrowed and clutching her head, fell to the floor. Assistant coaches immediately rushed to her side, helping her up. Within moments, Nakase picked up her marker and whiteboard, drew up a play, and guided her team to a 77-73 victory that secured the Valkyries’ place in the semifinals.
Nakase later described the collapse as caused by “a little bit” of exhaustion. The incident was alarming for viewers, but those familiar with Nakase’s work ethic said the moment was consistent with the intensity she brings to her role. Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon, who hired Nakase as an assistant coach for the Aces in 2022, called her “a little mighty mouse workhorse” and said it was no surprise she bounced back so quickly.
“The stress this time of year is real. The pressure,” Hammon said. “You don’t get a lot of sleep. You aren’t eating as well as you probably should. There are a lot of factors. It was kind of scary to watch and that little sucker popped right back up on that marker and kept it pushing. She’s tough.”
Nakase’s determination is well known in basketball circles. Before becoming the first Asian American head coach in the WNBA in 2025, she built a reputation through years of coaching and playing. She walked on to UCLA’s basketball team despite being undersized at 5-foot-2, later worked in coaching roles in Germany and Japan, and served on NBA and WNBA staffs. She won Coach of the Year in her first season with the Valkyries by leading the franchise to the playoffs.
Her drive comes with a cost. Nakase has openly discussed her struggle to balance mental health and rest during the season. After a loss to the Washington Mystics earlier this year, she admitted to reporters that she wasn’t at her best because she hadn’t prioritized recovery. “I’m battling that,” she said at the All-Star break. “I wasn’t at my best today because I don’t think I did the proper rest and recovery. I have to figure it out.”
Nakase has leaned on mentors like Ty Lue and Steve Kerr for advice. Kerr suggested she write down her thoughts to quiet her constantly active mind. Assistant coach Kasib Powell described how her relentless focus affects the entire coaching staff. He said Nakase sends texts with questions or ideas during late hours or supposed off-days. “She’s locked into it pretty much every minute of the day,” Powell said. “So just being around her, you kind of get that energy as well. … You don’t want to let her down. You want to do as much work as she does – if not more at times – to be able to help her out in spots.”
Nakase’s passion for basketball traces back to her father, Gary, who died in 2021. He was a basketball fanatic who pushed Nakase to play every day during her youth in Southern California. “All I knew was playing basketball every single day because he played,” Nakase said during her introduction as Valkyries head coach. “Because he was passionate about the sport, I became passionate about the sport.”
Her career path has broken several barriers. She was the first Asian American player in the now-defunct National Women’s Basketball League and later became a coach in Japan before returning to the U.S. to pursue NBA opportunities. She began her NBA journey with the Los Angeles Clippers, impressing staff with her detailed notes as part of their video team.
The Valkyries’ playoff win on October 2 in San Francisco was a tight contest, with Nakase’s leadership crucial in the closing moments despite her collapse. The team’s advancement to the semifinals marked another step forward for the franchise under her guidance. As the postseason continues, Nakase’s resilience and dedication remain as visible off the court as on it.
According to Yahoo Sports.
