SAN FRANCISCO – Even though Monique Billings has found a new home with the Indiana Fever, she will always have the Bay Area and the Golden State Valkyries close to her heart.
Case in point– Billings made the rounds revisiting her favorite spots across the Bay, ahead of her first game back in San Francisco since departing for Indiana in free agency. And along the way, Billings just so happened to bump into Natalie Nakase at the nail salon she recommended to her former coach about last season.
“Really special that I got to see her,” Nakase recounted. “She goes to her normal spot, so ran into her… she just loves being [in the Bay], and [the Fever] got here a couple days early, so it was good for her to be back.”
It was a short but sweet reunion for the two, one that not only highlights the love Billings, Nakase, and the Valkyries still hold for each other, but also the enduring effect they’ve all had on each other.
Throughout training camp, Nakase, the woman who worked her way up to head coach of the Valkyries by spending countless nights cranking film tape as an assistant coach for Becky Hammon, has talked about wanting to do a better job of prioritizing her self-care. Wanting to avoid burning out.
That’s something Nakase picked up from Billings, hence why she was at that nail salon in the first place.
“I told her about that nail salon,” Billings exclaimed. “I saw her, and I’m like, I’m so happy you’re self-caring like I taught you.”
Returning to the place she helped build
David Gonzales-Imagn Images
But Billings’ effect on the Nakase and the Valkyries extends beyond just self-care.
As one of the founding twelve players in the Valkyries’ inaugural season in the WNBA last year, Billings played a significant role in establishing the culture and camaraderie that Golden State has become famous for to this day. The Valkyries describe it as connectivity, rather than chemistry– the factor that they attribute the most credit to in terms of their success on the court.
And Billings was the one who helped build the foundation for the Valkyries’ connectivity.
“Mo [Billings] gave us that leadership that no one really got to see,” Nakase said last week before the Valkyries’ first match with the Fever.
“She loved her teammates deeply, but at the same time, she was always kind of like their protector. To call myself out, any time I really went at the team, Mo was the first to settle me, and also at the same time talk about reason and how we could get better. So Mo was very good in the locker room.”
Vice versa, the effect that the Valkyries had on Billings was equally special. Despite signing a two-year, $1.6 million contract with the Fever this past offseason, Billings remains extremely grateful for her time in Golden State and being a part of their historic first season in the W.
“It was like a, ‘Aw I miss it,’” Billings said, describing her thoughts when she walked into Chase Center and saw the violet court for the first time since departing. “I had such great times here. Being a part of the inaugural season with this team is really special. That’s something in a feeling that will never go away. Just a lot of gratitude.”
A new opportunity in Indiana
Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Still, for all the emotions and excitement for Billings’ return to Ballhalla, where she’s expected to receive a raucous applause from the fanbase, the center is focused on her new opportunity with the Fever.
“I’m excited for my new opportunity with the Fever,” Billings said, later explaining how she’s adjusting to her new team.
“Coming to the fever, they have a lot of people who returned. They have their big three, a lot of other role players, so it’s kind of like getting where I fit in; let me figure that out. But playing with the Valkyries, it was all new for everybody, so I think that’s the biggest difference that I’ve noticed so far.”
Regardless, when Billings checks into the game for the first time, and the jumbotron plays her well-earned tribute video, it will be a special moment for everyone involved.
“I love the fans here,” Billings smiled. “I’ll be really grateful for that warm embrace.”
Monique Billings on returning to Ballhalla tonight and the opportunity to play for the Valkyries last season:
“Such great times here. Being a part of the inaugural season with this team is really special. That’s something, and a feeling that will never go away.“
Full soundbite: pic.twitter.com/GDXQLDQDPU
— Kenzo Fukuda (@kenzofuku) May 28, 2026
SAN FRANCISCO – Even though Monique Billings has found a new home with the Indiana Fever, she will always have the Bay Area and the Golden State Valkyries close to her heart. Case in point– Billings made the rounds revisiting her favorite spots across the Bay, ahead of her first game back in San Francisco since departing for Indiana in free agency.
