SAN FRANCISCO – The Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries did not participate in the national anthem prior to Game 2 of the WNBA Finals on Monday night, mirroring their absence from Game 1. This decision occurred despite a provision in the WNBA rulebook that states players must stand and line up during the anthem.
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In both games, the teams exited the court less than one minute before the anthem began and returned just after the performance concluded. Questions directed to both teams regarding their absence during Game 1 and their plans for Game 2 remained unanswered by the time of the follow-up report published by OutKick.
According to the WNBA’s official rulebook for 2026, players, coaches, and trainers are required to "stand and line up in a dignified posture" along the sidelines or on the foul line during the anthem. OutKick inquired about the league's anthem requirements, including whether any disciplinary actions were being considered for the Game 1 absence and whether there were any instructions for the teams to be present in Game 2. So far, the league has not responded to multiple requests for comment.
Before the first game, both teams had been warming up on the court before departing just ahead of the anthem and returning shortly after it ended. Star players Gabby Williams of the Valkyries and Angel Reese of the Dream were among those who remained off the floor during the national anthem in both games. Despite ongoing inquiries, OutKick did not have the opportunity to ask specific questions about the anthem during multiple press conferences leading up to Game 2.
As it stands, two games into the Finals, neither team has complied with the WNBA’s anthem protocol, and the league has yet to address this apparent violation of policy.