Erika Wheeler was the star of the night, netting a game-winner at Climate Pledge Arena, sending the Seattle Storm to the 2025 WNBA postseason. While the result didn’t affect Valkyries’ playoff qualification, HC Natalie Nakase was upset with the loss.
The expansion team made history by clinching postseason qualification, but Head Coach Nakase didn’t let the team celebrate the qualification, setting a target for a deep run in the playoffs. She is not hard on players but also on herself. After the loss against the Storm, she blamed herself.
Natalie Nakase Takes Responsibility For Golden State Valkyries’ Loss
With 19.2 seconds left in the game, the Valkyries were down by one point. HC drew play for Janelle Salaun, who made two attempts at the basket but fell short on both occasions. It was Seattle’s luck or the game’s top scorer’s bad luck, but the Storm locked in place in the playoffs with a win, and the Valkyries finished the impressive season with a defeat.
Taking responsibility for the loss, HC Nakase mentioned that she could have done better. She highlighted the rotation errors.
“We had a good third quarter. Defensively, we started out great. But again, we have to continue to execute and understand that every possession matters. To me, we kind of lost a bit on the rebounding. So again, that’s something I have to be mindful [of]. Who am I putting in? What are the matchups down the stretch?… I can’t make any errors down the stretch,” Nakase said in a post-game interview.
Valkyries’ Natalie Nakase took the blame for the loss tonight:
— Kenzo Fukuda (@kenzofuku) September 10, 2025
“Just disappointment in myself. I don’t think I handled the game very well. Schematically, I thought I could do a better job.”
Nakase said she couldn’t get into the specifics but reiterated she needs to be better.
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Veronica Burton and Salaun are Nakase’s dependable and top scorers. She will be looking to use other options effectively to give her side an offensive edge in the game. But the franchise has another issue ahead of its first ever playoff game.
Natalie Nakase And Golden State Valkyries Have Different Issue For Their First Playoff Game
HC Nakase dedicated the playoff qualification to her father. The emotional first-time coach was obviously happy with the incredible success. But the side has an unthinkable issue to deal with ahead of its historic playoff games.
The Tennis mega event, Laver Cup, will start in mid-September, with Team World taking on Team USA. The tennis tournament will reportedly take place in the Chase Center, clashing with the playoffs schedule. Due to this, the Valkyries will play their first-ever playoff game at the SAP Arena in San Jose, 40 miles from their home court.
It is important to note that the franchise sold out all home games at the Chase Center, with the fans also playing a crucial role in encouraging the team. Valkyries had 14 of their 23 wins at home, highlighting the importance of the home crowd. Luckily for them, the Laver Cup would wrap up by September 21, and the side, if it advances to the next round, could host a playoff game at their beloved Chase Center.