Schools
Positively JAX: Veteran finds home, hope through Operation Lifeline
By Marcus Chen
Nakase and Valkyries are determined to avoid another slow start in WNBA Finals Game 7 against Dream
Marcus Chen
Marcus Chen
Managing Editor · St. Paul, MN
Marcus manages the day-to-day editorial workflow across all brands, coordinating coverage assignments and ensuring editorial standards are met. He previously served as city editor at the Pioneer Press and holds a degree in Political Science from Carleton College.
More from Marcus →Managing Editor · Friday, October 30, 2026 at 3:30 PM · 1 min read
There should be no problem with the Golden State Valkyries and Atlanta Dream approaching the first WNBA Finals Game 7 in league history with a sense of urgency.Then again, that's what Golden State coach Natalie Nakase thought about Game 6. She was baffled that her team somehow left behind its defensive intensity at the start of Thursday's 80-69 loss to the Dream that forced Game 7 at “Ballhalla” in San Francisco on Saturday night.While the Valkyries were missing their defensive edge that was so important in their 64-55 Game 5 win, the Dream seized the opportunity by making 73.3% of their shots in the first quarter and racing to a 32-15 lead. The 32 points are the most by either team in a quarter in the series.Atlanta kept the lead in double figures most of the remainder of the game.“Can’t let that happen right out of the gate,” Valkyries guard Veronica Burton said. “There needs to be a sense of urgency. It’s the WNBA Finals.”Even after the Valkyries showed fight by attempting a second-
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