Natalie Nakase has reached a historic milestone in her coaching career after leading the Golden State Valkyries to their first-ever WNBA championship. The Valkyries defeated the Atlanta Dream 68-63 in Game 7 of the 2026 WNBA Finals at Chase Center on Saturday night, completing an incredible championship run just two seasons after entering the league.
Following the historic victory, the Valkyries head coach became emotional while reflecting on her journey, her players, and the influence of her father. However, when reporters asked about defending the championship next season, Nakase had a much simpler answer: she wanted to celebrate.
Her lighthearted response quickly became one of the memorable moments of the championship celebrations.
Natalie Nakase’s Reaction After Valkyries Win WNBA Championship
During her postgame press conference, Nakase was asked about her thoughts on the upcoming season and the challenge of defending the championship.
Instead of looking ahead, she made it clear that the immediate priority was enjoying the moment.
“Girl! I just need to get drunk tonight. So let me get there. I ate this morning. I slept… Let’s enjoy the moment,” Nakase said.
Gabby Williams, who was sitting beside her, laughed and applauded as the coach delivered her answer.
The moment reflected the excitement surrounding the Valkyries’ achievement. After a demanding season and a seven-game Finals series, Nakase wanted to celebrate with the players and coaching staff before thinking about the future.
Golden State Valkyries Defeat Atlanta Dream in Game 7
The Golden State Valkyries defeated the Atlanta Dream 68-63 to secure their first WNBA championship.
The victory was particularly significant because Golden State became the first team in WNBA history to win a championship through a Game 7 victory.
The franchise also achieved an extraordinary milestone by winning a title in only its second season after joining the league as an expansion team.
Gabby Williams delivered a remarkable performance in the deciding game, scoring 30 points to earn Finals MVP honors.
After scoring just two points in the first half, Williams took control following halftime and produced 28 points in the second half.
Her performance helped Golden State overcome a six-point halftime deficit, with Atlanta leading 30-24 at the break.
Williams also made a crucial three-pointer with 2:19 remaining in the fourth quarter, breaking a 57-57 tie. The Valkyries maintained their advantage from that point to secure the championship.
Gabby Williams Credits Natalie Nakase for Her Performance
The connection between Natalie Nakase and Gabby Williams played an important role in Golden State’s championship success.
Williams credited her coach for encouraging her to remain patient during halftime rather than becoming frustrated with her slow start.
“Nat told me to stay patient [at halftime], I trust her with my life,” Williams said.
That confidence was rewarded with an outstanding second-half performance and the Finals MVP award.
Nakase also made an important tactical adjustment for Game 7, assigning Williams to defend Naz Hillmon. Hillmon finished with just three points on 1-of-5 shooting, while Williams produced 30 points at the other end.
Veronica Burton also contributed 10 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. She made two important free throws with 5.1 seconds remaining to help seal the victory.
Kiah Stokes added eight points, 13 rebounds and two blocks.
Natalie Nakase Says Her Father Inspired Her Coaching Career
Beyond the championship celebration, Nakase also spoke about the influence her father had on her personality and coaching philosophy.
She explained that her father’s approval would not necessarily come through a speech or emotional reaction. Instead, she expected a simple nod that would tell her he was proud.
“He would give me the head nod of approval,” Nakase said.
Nakase credited her father for shaping her work ethic, determination and approach to developing relationships with people.
She described herself as obsessive and a workaholic, explaining that her coaching philosophy is built around believing in people, supporting them and helping them improve.
She also praised her players for their discipline, commitment and willingness to work together throughout the season.
For Nakase, the championship was not simply about individual performances. It was the result of a group that developed trust and a strong family atmosphere.
How Natalie Nakase Became the Golden State Valkyries Coach
The Golden State Valkyries appointed Natalie Nakase as their first head coach in October 2024, making her the first Asian American head coach in WNBA history.
Before joining Golden State, Nakase spent three seasons as an assistant coach with the Las Vegas Aces under Becky Hammon.
During that period, she was part of the coaching staff that won WNBA championships in 2022 and 2023.
She also spent 10 seasons working with the Los Angeles Clippers, gaining extensive experience in professional basketball.
Golden State owner Joe Lacob reportedly decided on Nakase within two hours of her formal interview. The organization had ambitious expectations, with the goal of winning a championship within five years.
Nakase delivered that achievement much earlier than expected.
Natalie Nakase’s Coaching Success With the Valkyries
Nakase’s impact was visible during the franchise’s first two seasons.
In 2025, the Valkyries finished with a 23-21 record and became the first expansion team to reach the WNBA playoffs in its inaugural season.
Nakase was subsequently named the 2025 WNBA Coach of the Year, receiving 53 of 72 votes.
Golden State improved significantly in 2026, finishing the regular season with a 32-12 record and earning the No. 2 playoff seed.
The Valkyries continued their impressive postseason campaign by sweeping the defending champion Las Vegas Aces in the semifinals before defeating the Atlanta Dream in the WNBA Finals.
Nakase’s adjustments during the championship series proved important.
After Golden State fell behind 2-1 against Atlanta, she changed the starting lineup by replacing Cecilia Zandalasini and Kayla Thornton with Kaila Charles and Tiffany Hayes.
The adjustments helped the Valkyries regain momentum and eventually capture the championship.
Team Chemistry Helped Golden State Win the Championship
Nakase also emphasized the importance of building relationships away from basketball.
The Valkyries developed their chemistry during a two-week road trip, when the players had to depend on each other without the support of their home crowd at Ballhalla.
Kiah Stokes explained that the trip helped the team become closer through shared experiences and intentional team bonding.
Nakase organized dinners and activities that encouraged players to discuss their lives outside basketball.
She wanted to understand each player’s personality so she could know when to challenge them and how to get the best out of them.
Gabby Williams also described the experience positively, suggesting that the team developed something special during that trip.
That connection eventually became a major part of Golden State’s championship identity.
What’s Next for Natalie Nakase and the Golden State Valkyries?
After winning the 2026 WNBA championship, Natalie Nakase and the Golden State Valkyries will enter the next season with a new challenge: defending their title.
However, Nakase made it clear that she was not interested in discussing the next campaign immediately after the historic victory.
Her focus was on celebrating the players, appreciating the achievement and enjoying a moment that the franchise had worked toward since entering the league.
The Valkyries have already established themselves as one of the most successful expansion stories in recent American professional sports.
For Nakase, the championship represents the reward for years of coaching experience, hard work and belief in her players.
Her journey from assistant coach with the Clippers and Aces to becoming a WNBA championship-winning head coach is now complete, but the historic victory could mark only the beginning of another chapter in Golden State basketball.
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