Natalie Nakase's Game 4 adjustments may go down in Valkyries franchise history
The Golden State Valkyries leaned into their superpower of being "a really egoless team," changing their lineup to disrupt the Atlanta Dream and even the WNBA Finals, columnist Ann Killion writes.
The Golden State head coach Natalie Nakase made significant adjustments prior to Game 4 of the WNBA Finals between the Dream and the Valkyries at State Farm Arena in Atlanta on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026. The changes involved swapping Tiffany Hayes and Kaila Charles into the starting lineup, while Kayla Thornton and Cecilia Zandalasini were taken out.
Nakase explained that she made these changes in hopes of reviving the Valkyries' fighting spirit and defensive prowess, as both teams had trailed 2-1 heading into this crucial game.
The Valkyries' lineup adjustments paid off, as they emerged victorious with a final score of 67-62, evening the series at 2-2. This performance marked one of the greatest in-series maneuvers in Golden State lore, comparable to Steve Kerr's decision to bench Andrew Bogut in favor of Andre Iguodala during the 2015 NBA Finals.
Tiffany Hayes and Kaila Charles brought more speed and aggressive defense to the starting lineup, while Cecilia Zandalasini and Kayla Thornton contributed effectively off the bench. The Valkyries outscored the Dream in nearly every category, including limiting Angel Reese to just eight points and nine rebounds. They also controlled possession and limited the Dream's fast break attempts, forcing the Dream to shoot just 43% from the field.
The Valkyries' defense improved dramatically, as they limited the Dream's scoring and controlled the pace of the game. Gabby Williams, in particular, delivered a standout performance, regaining her elite defense and inspiring her teammates with her resilience. Veronica Burton also had a game-high 38 minutes, playing through foul trouble and delivering clutch points in the fourth quarter.
In conclusion, Nakase's decision to make significant lineup adjustments prior to Game 4 proved to be a turning point for the Valkyries. By injecting energy, aggression, and improved defense into the starting lineup, the Valkyries were able to even the series and continue their pursuit of the WNBA championship.
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