The Golden State Valkyries recently secured a top playoff seed during their spectacular 2026 WNBA campaign. The organization must now navigate an upcoming midseason pause without losing their championship momentum. Head coach Natalie Nakase directly addressed her expectations for the squad heading into this unique three-week interruption.
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Nakase emphasized the difference between this specific hiatus and a traditional midseason rest period.
“Just told them this is not exactly like the All-Star break, right? Because when we come back, it’s more into focus on the playoffs,” she said, according to reporter Kenzo Fukuda on X.
Nakase expects her athletes to return fully prepared for an intense postseason push.
“Make sure they’re on top of their recovery, but also staying in good shape. So there’s a healthy balance to that,” Nakase noted. “And then also, when they come back, like the mindset of being ready for playoffs, just I would say just make sure that they’re clear, their mind is clear, because we’re gonna go deeper, obviously, in terms of our game plan.”
This strategic urgency arrives just as the league halts operations for a massive international tournament.
The WNBA is officially pausing its regular season schedule from September 4 to September 13 to accommodate the FIBA World Cup in Berlin. Golden State is sending five key contributors overseas to represent their respective national teams.
French forwards Gabby Williams and Janelle Salaun, Italian forward Cecilia Zandalasini, Japanese guard Kokoro Tanaka, and Australian guard Miela Sowah will all temporarily depart the franchise. The front office executed a specific administrative maneuver to handle these international absences.
Management temporarily suspended the contracts of Williams, Salaun, and Zandalasini on August 29. The shorthanded Valkyries subsequently took the floor against the Portland Fire without these crucial rotation pieces.
The remaining roster completely dominated Portland in an 86-69 victory powered by 35 combined points from Tiffany Hayes and Kayla Thornton. This impressive victory marked Golden State’s fourth consecutive win before their head coach departed for her own national team duties.
Nakase is officially joining Team USA as an assistant on head coach Kara Lawson’s prestigious staff. The Golden State leader expressed immense gratitude for her selection alongside fellow WNBA coaches Stephanie White and Nate Tibbetts. She shared her sheer excitement regarding this massive career milestone with the local media.
“This is a dream come true for me,” Nakase told reporters on August 17. “It’s a job that I never thought I was going to get, and so just being able to, you know, be Kara’s assistant and then coach alongside of Stephanie [White] and Nate [Tibbetts], like I’m just excited to learn.”
Nakase also expressed massive enthusiasm about encountering her international Valkyries players during the tournament.
“Obviously represent USA, and then obviously get to see Gabby, Chechi, Ja, Mila over there,” Nakase added. “Just super excited to be around some of the best players in the world.”
Nakase will actively coach against Zandalasini in Group D. The remaining Golden State players will prepare to watch the international action from home.
Valkyries teammates prepare to watch the international tournament from home
All participating Golden State athletes will begin their World Cup campaigns during the tournament’s opening day. Japan and Mali will officially tip off the international action at 2:30 a.m. Pacific Time. The Valkyries players remaining stateside are actively preparing to support their teammates from afar.
Thornton jokingly addressed the logistical broadcast challenges during her postgame press conference.
“I mean it’s going to be good, you know, I ain’t got cable because it’s too expensive,” Thornton said postgame, adding, “But if it’s on YouTube TV, if it’s on YouTube TV, I’ll definitely be dialed in. But you know, I just wish them the best of luck.”
Hayes immediately chimed in with her own humorous viewing request.
“Send us a link,” Hayes joked to reporters.
The remaining stateside players will utilize this time to rest before launching their final regular season stretch. The Valkyries will officially resume their championship pursuit with a rematch against the Portland Fire on September 18, 2026.