The Golden State Valkyries are on track to sweep the defending champions, the Aces, in a significant matchup. Despite the Aces being the third seed in the WNBA and featuring MVP A’ja Wilson, the Valkyries, under Coach Natalie Nakase, have built a strong team culture reminiscent of the one created by former coach Becky Hammon.
Nakase joined Hammon’s staff in 2022 and played a key role during the Aces’ championship runs. Encouraged by Hammon, she took the helm at the Valkyries, where she has instilled a winning foundation based on hard work and accountability. This season, the Valkyries have excelled, showcasing their strong defense and stellar performance, including a playoff run that has marked them as one of the best expansion teams in WNBA history.
Notably, former Aces player Tiffany Hayes has contributed greatly to the Valkyries’ success after a brief retirement, while Nakase has also gathered a few familiar faces from the Aces to bolster her squad. With such a promising trajectory, both Nakase and Hammon reflect a mutual respect that promises fierce competition in the years to come.
