SAN FRANCISCO – The WNBA Finals went the full seven games. And the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries stayed off the court for the national anthem before every one of them.
Both teams left the floor before Saturday night’s deciding game at Chase Center, completing a series-long pattern that continued despite criticism and repeated questions about why their pregame routines take them off the court during the performance.
Saturday’s anthem was performed by San Francisco’s Glide Ensemble. The choir’s website describes its music as “steeped in protest and visions of a more just and loving world” and says it spreads a message of “diversity, acceptance and love.”
Not even a radically left-wing church choir could get the players to stand on the court for two minutes during the anthem.
WNBA PLAYERS, COACHES REFUSE TO EXPLAIN NATIONAL ANTHEM ABSENCES AMID MOUNTING CRITICISM
The league’s first Game 7 came after Atlanta’s 80–69 victory Thursday evened the series at 3–3.
Saturday’s winner will claim its franchise’s first WNBA championship.
Two weeks after OutKick first asked why the teams were leaving the floor for the anthem, the WNBA, NBA and both teams’ front offices still have not answered our questions. Players and coaches have pointed to their pregame routines.
Seven games, same pregame routine
The performers and venues changed. The teams’ absence from the court did not.
Alanis Morissette sang before Game 2 at Chase Center. On Thursday in Atlanta, 10-year-old Heiress Harris, the daughter of rapper T.I., performed before Game 6. Both teams were off the floor for those performances.
When OutKick finally had an opportunity to question players and coaches directly at media availability in Atlanta on Oct. 23, Golden State coach Natalie Nakase said the practice was part of pregame.
“We’re two years in,” Nakase said. “That’s been part of our pregame.”
Asked who established the routine and why, Nakase said, “I really don’t know.”
“I understand your question,” she added. “I’m not trying to, you know, not answer your question. It’s just part of our pregame.”
OutKick followed up: “What do you do during those 90 seconds that you’re off the court?”
“I’m with my staff, so I’m focused on my plays,” Nakase said.
Golden State’s public relations staff then moved to the next reporter. OutKick did not get an opportunity to ask why those preparations needed to happen during the anthem rather than before or afterward.
Valkyries forward Gabby Williams denied that Golden State’s absence was a protest.
“No,” Williams said.
Asked why the team was off the court, she responded: “That’s been the routine for like, seven years now.”
A Valkyries public relations representative then said, “Next question.”
Golden State is in its second season. Williams previously played for Chicago and Seattle, but did not explain whether each team followed the same routine.
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Atlanta coach Karl Smesko offered less detail when asked why his team left the court and whose decision it was.
“We’re just kind of focused on the Finals,” Smesko said.
Asked whether he had any further comment about the anthem and his team’s absences, he said, “No.”
Howard defended Team USA commitment as fans offered different views
Dream guard Rhyne Howard was asked about calls to exclude players from Team USA over their anthem conduct during the WNBA season.
“I don’t think I’ve been on the floor for the national anthem for any of my tenure in Atlanta, so if that’s what people are gonna look to nitpick for then so be it,” Howard said.
“But as far as competing for your team, when I go put on USA jersey I’m out for the national anthem every time, there’s no doubt about it.”
“Yes, I love the country that I play for and I love what we have here,” she added.
When OutKick asked why she was not on the court for the anthem with the Dream, Howard and an Atlanta public relations representative both responded, “Next question.”
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Fans who spoke with OutKick outside State Farm Arena before Game 6 disagreed about whether the players should be on the floor.
Renard Hayes, the father of Golden State guard Tiffany Hayes, pointed to his own military service while defending the players’ choice.
“This is America, by the way, and I’ve served this country, so they can choose what they want,” he said.
“I don’t have an issue with it because it’s not a disrespect of the flag,” Hayes added.
A male Valkyries fan said he respected the players’ opinions and beliefs but wanted them on the court.
“I do think they should be out there,” he said.
Another Dream fan defended the practice: “They’ve been doing it for years. And that’s their choice. It is what it is.”
Rulebook provision remains as policy questions go unanswered
The WNBA’s 2026 official rulebook says players, coaches and trainers are to “stand and line up in a dignified posture” along the sidelines or on the foul line during the national anthem.
The Associated Press reported Oct. 20 that the league suspended its anthem protocols in 2017. The provision remains in the 2026 rulebook.
OutKick has asked the WNBA to clarify its current requirements and enforcement, whether discipline was planned or under consideration, and whether the league had communicated instructions to either team.
The inquiries to the WNBA, Dream and Valkyries began after Game 1 on Oct. 17, with follow-ups Oct. 18 and Oct. 20. OutKick also contacted the NBA league office on Oct. 20 about its role in the matter.
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The Oct. 23 interviews were OutKick’s first opportunity to put the anthem questions directly to players and coaches after attending all 13 formal press conferences during the first three games without being called on.
OutKick also asked Atlanta to confirm an arena employee’s account that Dream players stand in a hallway after leaving the floor before games, including whether they remain there during the anthem. The team did not respond.
During Game 4, I attempted to observe what Atlanta’s players do after leaving the court. Arena staff said my credential did not grant access to that area and escorted me to my assigned media seat.
One team will leave Saturday night with a championship. Both will finish the season having stayed off the court for every national anthem in the Finals.
