Brief
Ty Lue reminds Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase to eat ahead of WNBA Finals
Lue praised Nakase’s coaching while warning her to stay nourished before the championship series.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Ty Lue said he reminded Golden State Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase to eat as she prepares for the WNBA Finals, joking that she can’t afford to pass out on the court again.
What happened
On Tuesday, Lue was asked whether he had spoken to Nakase after the Valkyries clinched a Finals berth in her second year as head coach. He answered “yes” and added, “She better eat. Can’t have her passing out again on the court.” The comment referred to Nakase’s collapse during Game 3 of the first‑round playoffs, when she fell with under two minutes left in the fourth quarter as Golden State trailed Dallas 72‑71. She was removed from the game, and assistant coach Kasib Powell finished the contest, which the Valkyries won 77‑73.
What the reports add
The New York Post article notes that Nakase said she ate and drank immediately after the incident and felt better. It also mentions that on Monday she told reporters her sister had left meals and snacks as a reminder, and that her assistants continue to prompt her to eat. Lue also praised Nakase’s recent win over Becky Hammon’s Las Vegas Aces, calling Hammon “the best coach in the WNBA.”
What was said
“She better eat. Can’t have her passing out again on the court,” Lue said, according to the New York Post.
“I do realize now, watching myself, I don’t eat … because I’m so excited with the film and game planning, and I just forget,” Nakase told reporters, as quoted by the Post.
“I congratulated her on beating a very good team. Becky Hammon, the best coach in the WNBA and the Aces, they won [3 of the last 4],” Lue added.
How it came about
The incident follows the Valkyries’ dramatic rally from a 16‑point deficit to beat the Dallas Wings 77‑73 on Oct. 2, securing a semifinal spot, and their subsequent sweep of the Las Vegas Aces to reach the Finals, as covered in earlier Felo News stories Golden State Valkyries reach WNBA Finals in just two seasons and Valkyries rally 16 points to beat Dallas. The team will face the Atlanta Dream in the championship series starting Oct. 17.
Key facts
- Ty Lue told Natalie Nakase to eat to avoid another collapse before the WNBA Finals. (nypost.com)
- Nakase collapsed during Game 3 of the first‑round playoffs with under two minutes left in the fourth quarter. (nypost.com)
- The Valkyries won that game 77‑73 after assistant coach Kasib Powell took over. (nypost.com)
- Nakase said she ate and drank right after the incident and felt better. (nypost.com)
- The Valkyries will face the Atlanta Dream in the Finals starting Oct. 17. (nypost.com)
Sources
- [1] nypost.com — originally reported as “Ty Lue’s hilarious Natalie Nakase warning comes with a serious message for Valkyries coach ahead of WNBA Finals”
