Valkyries Coach Calls for Fair Play After Loss to Lynx
Golden State Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase expressed her frustration after her team’s loss to the Minnesota Lynx in the first game of the playoff series, requesting “fair” and “clean” officiating for her team. The match, which ended with a score of 101-72 in favor of the Lynx, saw the Valkyries leading at the end of the first quarter with a score of 28-21. This result was the product of a solid defense and good accuracy from the three-point line by Golden State. However, the Lynx, the team with the best record in the WNBA, reacted and dominated the rest of the game. Nakase, who received a technical foul for protesting a referee’s decision, indicated that the refereeing affected her team’s momentum.Nakase added that the Lynx, being the best team in the league, do not need referee help. The game ended with 23 team fouls for the Lynx and 22 for the Valkyries. The Lynx had 11 free throws in the second quarter, while the Valkyries had only one. Before the game, Nakase had already expressed his concern about the impact of the arbitration on the series. Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve mentioned that something “changed” with the officiating at halftime. Reeve said that one of the officials communicated to them that they decided to call the “obvious” fouls in the second half, but that the officiating was not a decisive factor in the game. Natisha Hiedeman, a standout player for the Lynx, achieved a personal record of 18 points, and her +32 rating was the second-highest in Lynx playoff history. The Valkyries, one of the best defensive teams in the WNBA, performed well from the three-point line in the first quarter, but then their effectiveness decreased. Before the second game in San Jose, Nakase’s comments could attract the league’s attention and result in a possible fine for the coach. Nakase responded that he is not worried.When Iliana Rupert tries to fight for the rebound and a foul is called on her, that takes away our aggressiveness, and I don’t think that’s right. I want a fair game. I really want it. I want a clean game, but I love the fact that both teams are playing with heart. They are fighting. But I would like it to be fair.
Natalie Nakase
I don’t care about that. I have players, and I have to make sure they’re mentally and physically well. I have to make sure they do everything they can to recover. I have to keep their minds in order. I have to keep their minds strong. I have to make sure we’re all connected. That’s my main concern.
Natalie Nakase
