Every team needs an identity if it wants to win games, especially a brand-new expansion franchise looking to establish itself in the WNBA. For Natalie Nakase and the Golden State Valkyries , that identity has been defense. While the shooting has been streaky and the turnovers have been a problem, their hard-nosed, hustling defensive identity is something they've always been able to lean on in the early portion of this season.

But that wasn't the case in the Valkyries' 86-77 loss to the new-look Phoenix Mercury . For as good as the offense was to open the game, it was clear right from the get-go that something was off about their defense. In her post-game press conference, Nakase admitted that the Valkyries didn't have the same punch on defense that they usually play with.

“I asked

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