Natalie Nakase makes WNBA history as Valkyries win title in just 2 years

The championship came after Golden State fought back from a 2-1 Finals deficit, while Chen contributed off the bench following her return to the team that waived her in 2025.

Image via Golden State Valkyries

Japanese American coach Natalie Nakase made WNBA history on Oct. 31 when she led the Golden State Valkyries to a 68-63 championship win over the Atlanta Dream.

Nakase, 46, became the first Asian American woman to coach a WNBA champion, with Taiwanese American guard Kaitlyn Chen also earning her first title in the team’s on…