Student vs. teacher: Hammon’s Aces face Nakase’s Valkyries in WNBA semis

The Las Vegas Aces are appearing in the WNBA semifinals for the eighth straight year, seeking a fourth championship in five seasons. Standing in their way is the No. 2‑seeded Golden State Valkyries, coached by Natalie Nakase, who served as an assistant on Becky Hammon’s staff from 2022‑24 during the franchise’s first two titles. Nakase was named head coach of the Valkyries in October 2024 and earned WNBA Coach of the Year honors after guiding the expansion team. Reflecting on her time in Las Vegas, she said, “What Las Vegas taught me was, they taught me however to win,” Nakase said when she was introduced as Golden State’s coach. “The reason why we won was because Becky Hammon has a truly large heart and she created such a loving, caring situation from the jump. We had that initial buy‑in from the start.” Hammon praised Nakase’s influence, stating, “Her agleam mind, relentless work ethic and ability to build relationships with our players has had a lasting impact on not just our organization, players and staff but also throughout the Las Vegas community,” Hammon said in a statement when Nakase took the Golden State job. Before joining the Aces, Nakase worked as an assistant with the Los Angeles Clippers from 2017‑22, then moved to Las Vegas as a lead assistant. Her trajectory mirrors Hammon’s rise under Gregg Popovich with the San Antonio Spurs, having paved her own path to a head‑coaching role. Golden State enters the series as the league’s second‑best team, boasting a 32‑12 record this season. The Valkyries secured their semifinal spot by defeating the Dallas Wings in a winner‑take‑all Game 3 of the opening round on Friday, setting up the clash. The Valkyries needed a 16‑point second‑half surge to edge the Wings 77‑73, earning home‑court advantage at Chase Center, also the arena of the Golden State Warriors. During the closing minutes of Game 3, ESPN cameras caught Nakase collapsing to the floor while speaking with an official. She hunched over with 1:40 left, was helped to the bench and given water, mouthed that she was okay and continued coaching the remainder of the contest. Golden State assistant coach Kasib Powell addressed the incident afterward: “We just know that we had seen her afterwards, and she was fine, laughing, in good spirits,” Powell said after the game. “I think we’ll figure out more as we go, but I think she’s totally fine.” The Aces advanced past the Indiana Fever, dispatching them 94‑83 in Game 3 at Michelob Ultra Arena on Thursday. A’ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young combined for 77 points, with Wilson posting 36 points and 10 rebounds. Hammon noted the trio’s effort, saying Young and Gray each logged 40 minutes while Wilson battled foul trouble to play 37. Las Vegas has been peaking at the right moment, winning nine of its last ten games dating back to August 20. The team closed the regular season on a seven‑game winning streak, averaging a 19.9‑point margin of victory. Their only loss since August 18 came in a 99‑89 defeat at Indiana in Game 2. The Aces swept the season series against Golden State, last meeting on June 21 with a 92‑73 victory in Las Vegas. Hammon characterized the preparation ahead: “This (series) was a grind,” Hammon said Thursday. “Let them take a breath, and then when we come back, I know they’ll be locked in and ready to go.” **Up next** Who: Aces at Valkyries What: Game 1, WNBA semifinals When: 1 p.m. Sunday Where: Chase Center, San Francisco TV: NBC Line: Aces –1; total 161½