WNBA FINALS: DREAM VS. VALKYRIES

October 24, 2026

Natalie Nakase

Golden State Valkyries

Game 4: Postgame

Golden State Valkyries 67, Atlanta Dream 62

Q. The starting lineup change, you guys haven't done that that much this year. What did you see to motivate that and what did you like about that change?

NATALIE NAKASE: We just wanted to change it up. The best thing about our team is no one cares who starts, no one cares. People coming off the bench, doesn't matter. We can do that because we have a really selfless team, ego-less team.

Yeah, just wanted to change it. You definitely saw some energy, a better fight, but it literally is also with the people like Ceci and K.T. coming off the bench. You saw another punch, too. Credit to our players, ego-less players, is really vital.

Q. I don't know if you know this but there's very famous Golden State lore about a lineup change in the 2015 Finals. Were you aware of that?

NATALIE NAKASE: Yeah, I think I was coaching against -- yeah. I was working with the Clippers at the same time.

Q. When they were playing the Cavs.

NATALIE NAKASE: Yeah.

Q. What were you able to do tonight to control Angel?

NATALIE NAKASE: Team defense. Like attention to detail. I think, again, we settled in a little bit more, too. Like we just took a breath. Remember I was telling you guys earlier, we were punching, punching, punching, a little bit too early. We just took a breath. We locked into the details. We understood it's so loud in there so we talked about, we've got to really look now. You can't communicate because it's so loud.

Credit just to the players for recognizing, like how can we be better in a loud arena. I think they are right on. They were very connected tonight.

And obviously Kiah Stokes protecting the rim, with that matchup, I think she did what she always does, Kiah is consistent. Kiah is a consistent rim protector, and we all know wee are a really composed team when she's in.

Q. You mentioned the last couple days, fight harder, fight harder, play harder, and every stat, especially in the first half, you dominated the offensive boards. You had 20 more shots than they did. You kept down the turnovers. All the stuff that may not show but the hustle plays. Was that the difference that you guys played harder at points to get this win today?

NATALIE NAKASE: Yeah, because I think Game 2 and 3 we kept saying, we don't recognize ourselves. We're undisciplined, and that was the thing is, again, the accountability piece with all the film sessions I think we did the past two days. Took accountability with the film and were just not happy with it. And also a lot more conversations, I listen more with losses than wins because I need to know what they are thinking and feeling.

Credit to our players. They are super vulnerable after losses. Like I mentioned before, we get even closer after losses because we learn from our lessons after losses.

Q. You basically trimmed your rotation to seven players, what was the mindset behind that and did you like how it worked out?

NATALIE NAKASE: Yeah, just did what it took to win. Again, we have ego-less players that understand, we're trying to win. We're trying to do what's best for the team and just credit to our team.

We're about caring for each other. We are about pouring into each other, and I think what's really been key is they want to see success in their teammates more than themselves.

Q. This is going to be redundant at this point, but when I asked them yesterday, the identity of Golden State, and they said Golden State is best when we play together, what displays of together or connectedness did you witness that contributed to the victory today?

NATALIE NAKASE: Having each other's back. Obviously Atlanta wants to punch early and they want to get downhill. It's just constantly helping each other, cover each other. There is no matchup because they play extremely fast. Again, whoever is there, just more looking and pointing now instead of communicating.

Even on offense, we were giving each other eyes and looks of when to cut and when to space. You could see their body language is now their communication.

Q. Take me through the second quarter, that was a big quarter for you. What went right and what were you able to do in the second to win it with an 11-point deficit in the game?

NATALIE NAKASE: I think we created more turnovers. Again, I'm not really sure but I think we were real aggressive in terms of our coverage and were mixing things up. Again, when you mix things up and stay connected, that really kind of messes up the opponent, like that's just what we are trying to do is keep them off rhythm.

Again, just credit to the players for picking things up, looking at each other and having each other's back. More importantly when we move the ball, Ceci did an amazing job getting to her spots. You could tell she's really comfortable with the punches that she was making, so just credit to K.T.

Ja, even, I know she didn't play high minutes, but she's in there, you can tell place a presence of spacing when she's in there.

And I thought K.T. did just a phenomenal job just being physical at the five.

Q. Kiah Stokes, how have you absorbed what this run has been like for her?

NATALIE NAKASE: I think it's always been in her. I think what she chatted to me before coming here was just like, you know -- and I know Kiah, obviously, from Vegas, but she just needs an environment where she feels good, she feels loved, and I think she feels really connected, even though this is her first year with our team.

And so the fact that I always see her with a smile on her face, but more importantly, man, she's a pro. She does everything to make sure her body is right, whether it's like ice tubs, just being super mindful to keep her -- she does an amazing job of not letting outside noise get to her.

And so Kiah leads by example for our team and I think that's really important because she's been through obviously the Finals many times.

And I love that the biggest thing is Kiah stays consistent. She doesn't look for outside noise. She actually doesn't like attention. And so with that type of star mentality, I think that's really special and I think that's what keep us really focused.

Q. I know you were saying the starting lineup changes was not about any one player. That being said, Kaila coming out and having a plus-14, leaving the starting lineup, what is the biggest impact she makes as a starter when she's sharing those minutes on the floor?

NATALIE NAKASE: Yeah, I think what Kai was doing even early on in the Finals was just bringing that energy. You know, but again, like K.T. is excellent at energy. Ceci is great at energy. Everyone does their part to the best of their ability. Just decided to change it up.

And again, just -- I don't think that many teams can do that and have everyone still fight the way they do and still play together and the best thing is we didn't even miss a beat. So yeah, credit for Kai for stepping up.

It actually started when we had a couple people go away for Worlds. So it's kind of what we do, yeah.

Q. Best-of-seven can be a little different animal versus some of these shorter series. I'm wondering, from your experience in the NBA, is there some things you can tap about the adjustments and rhythms of playing a team maybe seventh team?

NATALIE NAKASE: As boring as it sounds, just staying healthy, maintaining high energy. So again, the rest and recovery because you need to be healthy. I mean, was with the Clippers and we got injured, and last year, too, I learned my lesson. We were injured.

So that, to me, like Kiah Stokes, just stay consistent. Stay consistent in your rest and recovery. Block out the noise, understand the game plan. If there's going to be adjustments, lock in and be ready to fight.

I think the rest and recovery is key. It's really key, yeah.

Q. Wanted to ask you about Veronica, she got knocked around this game and throughout the series, sticks through it, hits two big shots in the clutch. What does that say about her character to keep fighting?

NATALIE NAKASE: Man, I think she's our heart and soul of the team. I mean, she was getting punched, knocked in the face. I was checking her -- it was amazing. I mean, at times, I was giving her the eyes, like, you need one? She just kept saying, "I'm good. I'm good." Probably like ten times she probably got knocked down.

That girl is resilient. She's literally our leader in terms of, like never quit, fall down, get back up. Things are not going our way, it's all right. I think what was really key tonight is V, I think she finished with that shot. She said, I got it. I got the isolation. And she just, you know, attacked her matchup and closed it and really calmed us down.

So yeah, just credit to her resilience and her fight.

Q. Gabby said when she made that speech after the last game, it really fired her up and made her want to be more accountable. What did you like from what you saw from her today?

NATALIE NAKASE: Yeah, she didn't just have to do it, you know, all the time with her voice; she can do it by example. So I thought her defense was on an elite, elite level. She's one of the top defenders in the world for a reason. You can see when she is locked in on her matchup and her game plan, she can get after and create more possessions.

I think that's what we just did. We decided to, look, let's just lock in. Lock in to who we are. That's our identity. Keeping a team like Atlanta to 62, that's who we are.

We watch her. We follow her, and whenever she has to give her emotions, that's okay, too. It's good that she could be that fiery but then also just, you know, lead by example.