Natalie Nakase is shouldering the blame after the Golden State Valkyries committed a season-high 18 turnovers in Game 2 of the 2026 WNBA Finals on Monday.
That total nearly doubled Golden State's regular-season average of 10.4, and the Atlanta Dream made them pay in a 79-65 win.
Valkyries' Defense Crumbles at Home Against Dream
After holding down home court in the series opener, the Valkyries struggled against Atlanta's ramped-up defensive pressure. The Dream converted those Golden State turnovers into 24 points. Meanwhile, forward Angel Reese finished with 30 points and 16 rebounds to power the Dream's WNBA Finals victory.
Nakase called the miscues "controllable, "acknowledging how hard Atlanta played. But the 2025 Coach of the Year also questioned whether she got the Valkyries prepared the right way.
"It's frustrating, right? That's been part of our identity is because our identity is defense. We hang our hats on that," she told press after the game.
Starting guard Veronica Burton, who committed 3 turnovers after averaging just 1.5 per game this season, echoed her coach's accountability.
"It starts with me," Burton said, citing indecision that disrupted Golden State's flow. "We had a lot of times where we were hesitant or we weren't on the same page, and that's where it led to turnovers."
WNBA Finals Series Heads to Atlanta Next
With the Dream rebounding, the series now stands tied at 1-1 as both teams head to Atlanta for Wednesday's Game 3. The shift gives the Dream home court momentum after a commanding Game 2.
For Nakase and Golden State, cleaning up those turnovers is the clear priority.
