Aces Bounce Back After Lopsided Minnesota Loss With Big 101-77 Win Over Golden State, Former Assistant Coach Nakase Sunday
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Story by Alan Snel Photos by Hugh Byrne
LAS VEGAS, Nevada — Natalie Nakase has a simple philosophy about her new job this year — head coach of the WNBA expansion Golden State Valkyries.
“Be true to yourself.”
Nakase outlined her coaching identity in response to an LVSportsBiz.com question before her team took on the Las Vegas Aces, the team she served as an assistant coach under Becky Hammon. (Nakase commented that Hammon is the “highest IQ coach” in the business.)
“Only be yourself,” said Nakase, an Anaheim native and former UCLA point guard who worked with Hammon during the Aces’ two WNBA title seasons in 2022 and 2023, plus 2024. Nakase was also a former NBA Clippers assistant coach before her three-year tenure in Las Vegas.
Speaking of Hammon, she termed the Aces getting blown out by Minnesota, 111-58, Saturday as “unacceptable.”
“Yesterday was unacceptable in any season,” Hammon said before today’s Aces-Golden State game. She termed the game “an ass-kicking,” while also noting, “We’re not that bad.”
Nakase was well aware of the Aces’ one-sided loss to the WNBA’s top team, the Minnsota Lynx. She warned that a team that gets wiped out plays with “rage” the next game. After the game, Nakase said her team — finishing its longest road trip of the season through various time zones — was ready for the Aces’ aggresive play at the start of the game.
And Hammon was at least glad the Aces were playing the very next day after getting wiped out by Minnesota, using phrases like “cleanse the pallet” and “jump on the horse again” to get that loss out of their system.
That’s exactly what the Aces did.
Late in the first half, the Aces led, 43-22, after an A’ja Wilson three-point play as Aces stepped up their defensive play. They held Golden State to a mere 25 points in the first half and enjoyed a 25-point lead after the first 20 minutes. Halftime: Aces 50 Valkyries 25.
The Aces held the lead, enjoying a 76-50 advantage after three quarters as Las Vegas guard Jewell Loyd was red-hot from three-land.
The Aces cruised to a 101-77 win to improve to 15-14 on the season. Lloyd led the way with 27 points, including seven of 11 from three-land. Reliable scorer Jackie Young added 20, with Wilson registering 14.
