Golden State Valkyries coach collapses midgame during WNBA playoffs

Golden State Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase briefly collapsed on the court during Friday’s playoff win over the Dallas Wings.

Nakase, 46, fell to her hands and knees while speaking with a referee during a fourth-quarter timeout at Chase Center in San Francisco. Moments later, she was helped to her feet by others and appeared to put her hand to her head.

She coached the rest of the game, Game 3 of the opening round of the WNBA playoffs, and the Valkyries won 77-73. She did speak to reporters afterward, as head coaches are normally expected do.

Assistant coach Kasib Powell, who addressed the media in her place, said Nakase was “fine.”

“Natalie’s fine,” Powell said. “Obviously, it’s a quick turnaround, we play again on Sunday. She wouldn’t miss it for anything.”

“We’ll figure out more as we go, but I think she’s totally fine.” he added. “She’s talking, she’s laughing in the back. We look forward to preparing and getting ready for Sunday.”

Powell said Nakase will coach Sunday’s game against the Las Vegas Aces, the defending champions. The series opens in San Francisco.

“We do know that she will be ready for Sunday,” Powell said.

The series winner will advance to the WNBA Finals to face either the eighth-seeded Liberty or the fourth-seeded Dream.