If there’s been one thing that Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase has been consistent with this year, it’s her criticism of the league’s officiating.
Following the Valkyries’ 78-72 loss to the Las Vegas Aces on Wednesday, the first-year coach ripped the game’s officials for their lack of consistency.
“The game ended up coming down to six points, and in terms of free throws, it also matters when they’re being called,” Nakase said after the game. “If the Aces are shooting 16% in the fourth quarter and then they’re getting five more free throws, that’s very convenient. We got to be consistent. The calls have to be consistent.
“If Jackie Young is shooting a jumper and we touch her, that’s fine. But if Carla Leite shoots a jumper and she gets touched by Jewell Loyd, you got to tell me what the reason is. It was the same shot, and the consistency of the calls are not the same. So again, what can I do?”
Valkyries’ Carla Leite (0) stands on the court during a game against The Las Vegas Aces in the fourth quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
Nakase has made a habit of criticizing the league’s officiating, especially after losses.
After a loss to the Phoenix Mercury on July 14, Nakase ripped officials after the Valkyries lost on a late free throw. When the Valkyries lost to the Atlanta Dream on July 7, Nakase blamed the defeat partially on the fourth quarter free throw discrepancy.
The Valkyries game against the Aces got choppy throughout the second half as multiple calls were reviewed and challenged.
With the teams tied at 48 in the third quarter, guard Tiffany Hayes was fouled on a drive to the basket. She flipped in a wild shot, but the officiating crew decided there was no continuation and the call was made on the floor.
Minutes later, point guard Veronica Burton was assessed a flagrant 1 foul in the third quarter after she inadvertently elbowed Aces guard Chelsea Gray. Nakase was visibly upset about the call and chants of “Refs you suck,” reverberated throughout the arena.
Later in the quarter, referees called a shooting foul on Hayes as Young made a 3-pointer. The call was ultimately reversed after Nakase challenged the play, but Golden State lost their lone challenge of the game.
Nakase said the choppiness of the second half did not affect the team, but attributed what she believed as blown calls to be momentum killers for her team.
“We’re doing a good job playing defense. It’s just tough when they’re going to the freaking line,” Nakase said.
The Aces made 19 of their 25 for the game. Golden State had the free throw advantage until the fourth quarter when Las Vegas shot 14 in the final 10 minutes.
Valkyries’ Iliana Rupert (12) takes a shot against The Las Vegas Aces’ NaLyssa Smith (3) in the first quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
But the officiating was not the reason the Valkyries lost the game.
Golden State shot an abysmal 18.2% from the 3-point line and had a season-low nine assists. Aces’ superstar A’ja Wilson exploded for 27 points, seven rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks.
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“The most important thing was to play defense tonight and we didn’t,” forward Janelle Salaün said. “We didn’t rebound the ball. And that was the most important thing. Whether our shots fall or not, we have to be consistent on defense.”
The Valkyries dropped to a game below .500 with the loss. Saturday’s game against the Los Angeles Sparks will have major tiebreaker implications as the SoCal team is a half game back of the Valkyries.
Nakase said Wednesday’s game could be a learning experience for her team going forward.
“When the frustration happens, it means they actually love what they do,” Nakase said of her team. “I want them to feel that pain, the frustration, however it is. It could be sadness, it could be disappointment. Good. Feel it. But then in two days, we got to play LA.”
Valkyries’ Carla Leite (0) takes a shot against The Las Vegas Aces’ NaLyssa Smith (3) and The Las Vegas Aces’ Aaliyah Nye (13) in the fourth quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)