The pressures of a winner-takes-all Game three against the Dallas Wings became too much to handle for Golden State Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase in Q4. After dropping a career-high 45 points to lead the Wings to a 108-100 overtime win in Game 2, Arike Ogunbowale and the Wings entered Friday’s Game 3 with a chance to finish the job. But as the Golden State Valkyries fought to keep their historic playoff run alive, a scary moment involving head coach Natalie Nakase has left fans deeply concerned.

With just 1:40 remaining in the fourth quarter, Nakase suddenly fainted and collapsed on the sideline during a timeout, as Golden State assistants quickly rushed over to help their head coach.

“Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase FAINTED while talking to the ref 😳,” BrickCenter posted on X.

Nakase was seen getting up just moments later, and more good news followed for her. The Valkyries defeated the Wings in a 77-73 game, despite Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale scoring a game-high 30 points, with Paige Bueckers adding 17 more. But nothing they did could stop the Valkyries. Gabby Williams and Veronica Burton added 19 and 16 points, respectively, while Tiffany Hayes came off the bench to add another 18 points.

But while the win at Ballhalla was a major talking point, Nakase’s episode dominated the conversation on the night. That frightening moment quickly had fans talking, with many reacting to the unexpected sight of Nakase going down.

“To be fair coaching is one of the most stressful jobs. It’s very mind-boggling,” a fan wrote on X.

Another added, “The refs so bad they making coaches faint.”

Officiating has been under a microscope throughout the WNBA playoffs, particularly after the controversy surrounding the three-game first-round series between the Indiana Fever and Las Vegas Aces.

Natalie Nakase had been speaking with the officials about a no-call involving the Valkyries star Gabby Williams after she converted a layup. While discussing the play, she suddenly collapsed before Golden State’s assistants rushed over to help her back to her feet. She was then helped to the side and was seen clutching her forehead and temples. Even ESPN play-by-play announcer Ryan Ruocco took notice of Nakase’s fall

“Natalie Nakase having some sort of an episode on the floor for Golden State. Did she slip perhaps, going out onto the floor?” he said.

But she knew the game was far from over as she returned to the sidelines to watch as the Valkyries completed a remarkable 16-point comeback. And her quick return to coaching certainly did not go unnoticed by fans either.

“Bro went right to coaching, no hesitation,” one fan pointed out.

Another added, “And she even draw a play, coach is a sicko.”

The Wings had the game in their hands for most of the night. Behind another hot start from Ogunbowale, Dallas jumped out to a 13-6 lead in the opening minutes and stayed ahead of the Valkyries through the first three quarters. Nakase returned to the sidelines before the final minutes, watching as Golden State built on their previous 16-point comeback to clinch the win.

Dallas missed its final five shots from the field, and Golden State capitalized on those mistakes to take the lead and escape with a 77-73 victory.

The loss ended Dallas’ playoff run and gave Golden State its first postseason series victory in franchise history. Still, the result was secondary for some fans after seeing Natalie Nakase collapse on the sideline.

“I HOPE SHE OK,” one fan wrote.

There is yet to be any confirmation on what caused Nakase to collapse during the game. But for now, the Valkyries will turn their attention to the semifinals, where they will face Las Vegas after the Aces eliminated the Indiana Fever in the first round in a 2-1 series.