Natalie Nakase appeared to faint while talking to the referee during the Golden State Valkyries vs Dallas Wings game on October 2. The incident came with 1:40 minutes remaining in the Valkyries’ elimination Game 3 matchup.
Golden State 77 Dallas 73 Golden State coach Natalie Nakase collapsed while talking with a ref and appeared to faint but she then went back to bench to draw a play. Valkyries ended up beating Dallas and move on to play Aces. “Golden State Valkyries defeat Dallas and move on to play Aces. Hope Natalie, a former Aces assistant coach, is OK,” an update on the game noted. Nakase has not publicly disclosed any health issues before, that might explain the fainting. After the game too, Nakase appeared to be unwell, when she went to shake hands with opponent coach Jose Fernandez.
She was seen rubbing her temple and side of her head and needed to be helped by staff as she walked away, USA Today reported .
others expressed fears about the head coach’s health While some cheered Nakase on for getting back up on her feet immediately after appearing to faint. Prior to this, Nakase was at Los Angeles Clippers and the Las Vegas Aces. The 46-year-old led the expansion Valkyries in their first-ever season in 2025. She was named the 2025 WNBA Coach of the Year after Nakase led Golden State to a surprise playoff appearance.
“NATALIE NAKASE FAINTED THEN IMMEDIATELY POPPED UP AND DREW UP A SERIES-WINNING PLAY??? women are legit superheroes,” Molly Morrison of Bleacher Report noted .
