Nakase rips refs after loss on late free throw

VALKYRIES

Mercury’s Thomas was fouled and hit a free throw with 1 second left

By Nathan Canilao

Bay Area News Group

SAN FRANCISCO >> Monday night’s game between the Golden State Valkyries and Phoenix Mercury at Chase Center was looking like an instant classic for the home team.

Down four with 15 seconds left, the Valkyries tied the game on two fadeaway baskets by French rookie Janelle Salaün. Needing just one more stop, Golden State appeared headed toward an extra period to decide, what was up to that point, one of the best games of the WNBA season.

But in anticlimactic fashion, the game ended on a controversial foul that sent Phoenix star Alyssa Thomas to the free throw line with a second left. She hit one of two free throws to give the Mercury a 78-77 win.

The foul drew loud boos from the sold-out crowd of 18,064 and prompted Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase to passionately argue the call with crew chief Eric Brewton.

But to no avail.

Nakase didn’t mince her words about the final play in her postgame news conference.

“It’s just very unfortunate that it came down to the last free throw,” Nakase said. “I think the fans here, whether it’s our fans, or whether it is Phoenix Mercury fans, they deserve great moments and great shots. To sit there watching someone win a game off of a free throw, I think there’s a disservice somehow.”Nakase went on to question whether her status as a first-year head coach is a reason for her team not getting calls down the stretch.

“I’m just asking for consistency,” Nakase said. “I’m begging for consistency. And guess what? If it’s because I’m a rookie coach, then I’ll take the loss. If I have to be better with the refs or if there’s a badge of honor that I have to earn, then I’ll do it, you know? So, yeah, I blame myself.”

With the game tied at 77 and six seconds remaining, Phoenix took out the ball on the right sideline.

The Mercury set up a screen-dribble handoff action that aimed to get guard Sami Whitcomb open for a shot at the top of the key. As guard Monique Akoa Makani came off a screen from Thomas, Valkyries guard Tiffany Hayes slipped fighting over the pick, creating an opening for the six-time All-Star to get an open look as she rolled to the basket.

Thomas was met at the rim by Cecilia Zandalasini and Temi Fágbénlé and drew enough contact to garner a foul call from Brewton.