TRENDING NFL news, updates Rays take 3-2 ALCS lead NFL Winners and Losers WNBA Finals Game 2 preview AP Top 25 Story by Story by WNBA remains silent on national anthem controversy Oct 17, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Recording artist Goapele performs the national anthem before game one of the 2026 WNBA Finals between the Golden State Valkyries and Atlanta Dream at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images Kevin Harrish Mon, October 19, 2026 at 2:17 PM UTC · 3 min read About Our Ads Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries both left the court before the national anthem ahead of Game 1 of the WNBA Finals on Saturday. And two days later, neither the teams nor the league has explained why.
The WNBA's rulebook calls for players and coaches to stand and line up during the anthem, and one outlet is now pressing the league on whether it plans to do anything about it. But with Game 2 set for Monday night, the WNBA still hasn't answered questions about the absences.
Both teams were warming up at Chase Center on Saturday before they left the court shortly before the anthem . They jogged back onto the floor just seconds after it ended.
"Both the Dream and the Valkyries left the court prior to the playing of the National Anthem before Game 1 of the WNBA Finals," wrote Dan Zaksheske of OutKick.
It's still not clear whether the moment was intentional. Leaving the floor at a set time before tipoff isn't uncommon in basketball, and LSU head coach Kim Mulkey gave a similar explanation in 2024 when her team, which included current Dream star Angel Reese, was off the court for the anthem before an Elite Eight game against Iowa.
OutKick is now pointing to the WNBA's 2026 rulebook, which includes a provision calling for players, coaches, and trainers to form a standing line along a sideline or foul line during the anthem.
"Both of its Finals teams left the court for Saturday's performance, and the league has not answered OutKick's questions about their absences," Zaksheske wrote in a follow-up article .
Zaksheske said he contacted the WNBA, the Dream, and the Valkyries on Saturday and again on Sunday, asking why the players were off the court, whether they'd be there for Game 2, and whether the league had given any instructions. None of them had responded.
"If Saturday's absences were simply part of the teams' pregame routines, both have had an opportunity to explain that," Zaksheske added.
It's also worth noting that while the league's policy does state that members of the team must line up "in a dignified posture" if they are on the court while the National Anthem is played, that only applies if the players are actually on the court. The rules seemingly don't actually require the players to be on the court during the National Anthem.
The moment drew plenty of outrage from conservative corners of the internet, with some treating it as a protest even though neither team has said that it was.
"Walking out during the national anthem is disgraceful. If you hate this country so much, you're free to leave," wrote sports media personality Emily Austin .
"This is anti-American, disgraceful behavior… No wonder so many sports fans can't stand this left-wing political activist league. Honor our country & those that sacrificed their lives by standing for the national anthem on the court for 1 min. Shame on these women," wrote Jon Root of OutKick .
But not everyone saw it as a big deal. Former NBA guard Ron Harper had a blunt response for Austin.
"Shut [up] and it's the team choice not yours…," Harper replied .
Game 2 tips off at 8 p.m. ET on Monday at Chase Center. Clearly, plenty of people will be watching to see where both teams are when the anthem starts.
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Source: Sports
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