Two months into the league, the Golden State Valkyries’ head coach, Natalie Nakase, begged for consistency in officiating. This has been one of the hot topics in the league, with fans, analysts, and players also complaining about the referees’ poor decisions. In a recent game against the Las Vegas Aces, the Valks’ head coach once again had to deal with a similar situation.
Janelle Salaun received a flagrant two foul for her unnecessary bump to Jewell Lloyd. She was immediately ejected from the game, leaving the team shorthanded in the match. The first-time head coach demanded a rematch, questioning the decision.
Natalie Nakase Raises Questions On Officiating During Valkyries Vs. Aces Game
The moment came just before halftime. The expansion team forward failed to get the rebound, and on her way back to defense, she shouldered the Aces guard. As Lloyd fell on the ground, the referee whistled for a flagrant two foul. This resulted in direct ejection ofthe the Valks’ player from the game.
Reacting to the decision, the Golden State HC mentioned that she could see the foul while talking to her staff. But as per her
“She [Salaun] usually doesn’t do anything, so now I’m kind of concerned whether it really was flagrant. That’s why I was more in shock… Ja’s not that kind of player, so I’m going to have to go back [to watch],” Natalie Nakase said in the postgame press conference (Via YT/GoldenStateValkyries).
The former Aces assistant coach added that the game was less physical than the games her team played in the last few days. Fans also reacted to Salaun’s foul in a similar fashion, comparing it with the fouls Caitlin Clark gets.
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The coach also highlighted that the players were fatigued, and the bench players came in strong for them. But the fight was not enough as the Aces bagged the game with a 101-77. Both sides will face each other again in three days, and the HC hopes for better preparation and performance.
Natalie Nakase Could Script History In WNBA
The Golden State Valkyries held on to the eighth spot in the league with a 14-14 record. With the new side and new faces, very few expected them to record 10+ wins in the league. With a chance to get into the playoffs, the Valks could become the first expansion team to make it into the postseason in their very first year.
Natalie Nakase, individually, had a great season leading her side to the current stage. While top seed teams’ coaches, Karl Smesko, Sandy Brondello, and Cheryl Reeve are top candidates for the Coach of the Year accolade, the Valks’ HC has done wonders with the assembled team and has already won Coach of the Month June with 7-4 outings.
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