Following Team USA’s 2-0 loss to Japan in the gold-medal game, pitcher Cat Osterman gave an emotional postgame interview with Jessica Mendoza. Despite the loss, the 38-year-old said she wouldn’t change a thing.

“Sometimes it’s just not your day,” Osterman said through tears. “Unfortunately it’s just not been our day twice now. If you told me this was the ending and I had to redo it, I would choose to do it all over again because this team has heart, has fight.”

She added that she was proud of the team’s resilience, revealing that up until June they hadn’t had the coaching staff they brought with them to the Olympics.

When asked what advice she would give to young girls out there, Osterman said that perspective is key and knowing how to bounce back or bounce forward is a vital part of the game.

"To all the little girls, keep dreaming the dream" - @catosterman 💕#OlympicHERstory pic.twitter.com/8Qo0QMZUFQ

— On Her Turf (@OnHerTurf) July 27, 2021

“This team, obviously it’s a heartbreak that we’re coming home not with the gold,” she said. “But at the same time you look at it, we have a silver medal. How many people would give for that? So learn from it, but also accept where you are in the present moment, and this team is gonna do that.”

USA Softball manager Ken Eriksen also spoke with Mendoza after the game, saying it just wasn’t their day but he was proud of his team’s effort.

“For us, you can make all the excuses in the world you want, but you’ve gotta give credit to Japan,” he said. “The pressure was on them in their home country. (Reika Utsugi) was really letting it all out at the end there.

“Today wasn’t our day, it was Japan’s day and I’m really, really happy for them.”

Eriksen then revealed that he intends to retire as manager of USA Softball.

“Well, I’m done,” he said matter of factly. “That’s it for me. It’s been a long time wearing USA, as a player, as a coach… For me, it’s time to get back to real life.”

Osterman, who also played her last game for USA Softball, isn’t dwelling on the experience.

“I gave it all I had. I’m not gonna lie,” she said. “I have no regrets. I don’t take back a single pitch from the two innings I threw tonight. I’m proud of everything I did on this stage and it just didn’t work out, but I’m proud of the journey.”

Despite falling from the playoffs on Wednesday night, Golden State Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase is still ending her season on a win, with the WNBA naming the first-year expansion team sideline boss the 2025 Coach of the Year this week.

Nakase picked up 53 out of the sports media panel's 72 votes to take the title, with fellow sideline rookie Karl Smesko (Atlanta Dream) trailing with 15 votes while veteran leaders Becky Hammon (Las Vegas Aces) and Cheryl Reeve (Minnesota Lynx) tied for third place with two votes apiece.

"What this does, is it reflects on [our] whole organization," said Nakase, sharing credit with her team and staff. "Without [the players], we wouldn't have had a winning season and we wouldn't be where I am today now."

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Just Women’s Sports (@justwomenssports)

Golden State made WNBA expansion history under Nakase

In leading Golden State to a 23-21 regular season — a league record for wins by an expansion team in their first campaign — Nakase also minted the Valkyries as the first-ever expansion franchise to make the WNBA Playoffs in their debut season.

That success came from the team's strong defense, as the Valkyries held opponents to a league-wide low in both points per game (76.3) and field goal percentage (40.5%) on the year.

Before joining the Valkyries, Nakase served as an assistant coach in Las Vegas, helping guide the Aces to back-to-back championships in 2022 and 2023.

"Natalie has been a fierce leader from the very moment she was announced as head coach," said Golden State GM Ohemaa Nyanin. "Her core philosophy of connectivity and emphasis on high character has created an environment where everyone can thrive. Her unique approach to leadership and ability to hold players accountable with care while staying true to her values has been remarkable."

"I love playing for a fiery coach who always wants to win and believes in her players so much," said Valkyries — and former Aces — guard Kate Martin.

The new WNBA home-away-home first-round format has upped the dramatics in the 2025 Playoffs, as multiple home-court upsets have forced Game 3 deciders this week.

The No. 6 Indiana Fever's Game 2 win over No. 3 Atlanta set up Thursday's elimination game, with the injury-riddled Fever taking down the Dream 77-60 on Tuesday to keep their playoff dreams alive.

The No. 7 Seattle Storm also earned themselves a Game 3, facing No. 2 Las Vegas in Thursday's nightcap after snapping the Aces' 17-game winning streak in Tuesday's 86-83 Game 2 shocker.

Indiana and Seattle remain the series' underdogs, ceding home-court advantage as Atlanta aims to build on their first playoff win since 2016 while Las Vegas shoots for a third title in four years.

"Our backs were definitely against the wall in this, and we know that we've just been through so much this season," Fever center Aliyah Boston said postgame. "Coming out with this win and then giving ourselves another chance in Game 3, emotions are high."

How to watch Game 3 action in the 2025 WNBA Playoffs

The first round's Game 3 finales begin with two winner-take-all matchups on Thursday night, beginning when the No. 6 Indiana Fever tackles the No. 3 Atlanta Dream at 7:30 PM ET on ESPN2.

Shortly afterward, the No. 6 Seattle Storm will take on the No. 2 Las Vegas Aces, also airing live on ESPN2.

The No. 1 Minnesota Lynx became the first WNBA team to punch their ticket to the 2025 semifinals with a dramatic come-from-behind win on Wednesday night, fighting back from a 17-point deficit to sneak past the No. 8 Golden State Valkyries 75-74 and sweep their first-round playoffs series.

Bolstered by a strong crowd traveling down to San Jose for the relocated home matchup, the Valkyries broke out into an early lead, but the 2025 expansion side couldn't hang on in the final seconds as the top-seeded Lynx rallied.

"I am just so proud of our effort," Minnesota forward Napheesa Collier said postgame. "I think it shows the grit and the resilience that this team has and what we've been talking about for two years."

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Just Women’s Sports (@justwomenssports)

The Lynx secured the only sweep in this year's best-of-three opening postseason round, with every other series moving to a Game 3 decider.

"The games that we've watched demonstrate that level of desperation for teams in elimination games," Minnesota head coach Cheryl Reeve reflected.

How to watch the Minnesota Lynx in the 2025 WNBA semifinals

The No. 1 Minnesota Lynx will next face the lowest seed to advance past this week's first round, with Thursday and Friday Game 3 action determining their opponent.

The 2025 WNBA semifinals will then tip off on Sunday, with live coverage airing on ESPN platforms.

The defending champions failed to clinch a first-round sweep in the 2025 WNBA Playoffs on Wednesday night, when the No. 5 New York Liberty fell hard on their home Barclays court as the No. 4 Phoenix Mercury took an 86-60 Game 2 victory to force a winner-take-all Game 3.

Mercury starting forwards Alyssa Thomas and Satou Sabally combined for 30 points in the win, with midseason veteran signing DeWanna Bonner adding another 14 points off the bench.

"The hope is when you get to the playoffs, you level up," said Phoenix head coach Nate Tibbetts. "I think we've done that."

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Just Women’s Sports (@justwomenssports)

New York's title defense took a hit well before tip-off, with injured forward Breanna Stewart playing just 20 minutes and limiting the offense's ability to execute.

"They came in and they embarrassed us on our home court," Stewart — who picked up an MCL sprain in Sunday's Game 1 win — said afterwards. "Now we have to go back there for Game 3, winner take all."

How to watch the New York Liberty vs. Phoenix Mercury in Game 3

It's win-or-go-home for both the No. 5 New York Liberty and No. 4 Phoenix Mercury, who will head back to Arizona to put their seasons on the line in Game 3 of the playoffs on Friday.

The high-stakes matchup will tip off at 9 PM ET, with live coverage on ESPN2.