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SAN FRANCISCO -- Natalie Nakase's shake-up of the Golden State Valkyries' starting lineup for Game 4 of the WNBA Finals brought back memories of a similar move made by Warriors coach Steve Kerr in the NBA Finals more than a decade ago with his team in the very same spot.
Veteran guard Tiffany Hayes joined the starting five for the Valkyries on Saturday as they evened the best-of-seven series with a 67-62 win at Atlanta -- and in 2015 it was veteran Andre Iguodala who delivered in his increased role against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers as the Warriors went on to capture their first championship in 40 years.
The 37-year-old Hayes knew her job. She came out of retirement two years ago for opportunities like this.
"Just to give it all I have, which is what I always do, but of course you've got to give a little more, so instead of 110 you've got to give 120," she said. "We're all fighting, battling something, but at the end of the day, we're here for each other, we do it for each other. I think we showed that today."
In much the same scenario as the Valkyries and having won Game 1 at home, the Warriors were trailing 2-1 to the Cavs when Kerr turned to defensive star Iguodala to start Game 4 and the spot-on switch helped swing the NBA Finals. Golden State went on to win three straight and close the series in six games, and Iguodala won Finals MVP honors. Kerr used Iguodala again the next year in the Western Conference Finals against Kevin Durant and Oklahoma City.
The Valkyries will now come home for Game 5 tonight with that raucous "Ballhalla" crowd backing them against Angel Reese and the Dream. Many of those violet-clad, towel-waving fans packed Chase Center for a Game 4 watch party.
"Hey, get loud and get ready, show 'em what the crowd really do," Hayes said.
Then, Game 6 back in Georgia is scheduled for Thursday, with the location still to be determined. The past two games were played at the NBA Hawks' State Farm Arena and brought in 17,000 fans for each thanks to some schedule alterations, compromise and cooperation from both Atlanta franchises.
The Dream will try again to grab some momentum on the Valkyries' home court.
"We knew they were going to come out aggressive. We knew they were going to come out with a different mentality," Reese said.
"… As long as we stay together and get back to our identity, we'll be fine," she said.