The Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries have faced criticism for leaving the court before the national anthem during the 2026 WNBA Finals. This marks the second consecutive game these teams have opted not to participate in the anthem ceremony, which has sparked outrage among fans and commentators.
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In Game 1 on October 17 at San Francisco’s Chase Center, neither team was on the court when the Star-Spangled Banner was performed. Both teams exited shortly after their warm-ups and returned only after the anthem concluded, according to reports.
The situation repeated itself before Game 2, with players again heading to the locker rooms, leading to accusations of disrespecting the national anthem. The WNBA rulebook provides guidance on players’ expected conduct during the anthem, but both teams have chosen to disregard these guidelines in both instances, drawing significant backlash.
Following Game 2, which ended with the Dream defeating the Valkyries 79-65 and leveling the series at 1-1, the controversy surrounding their anthem departures intensified. Critics, including commentators and coaches, have voiced their disappointment, labeling the actions as ungrateful or anti-American. The debate continues to evoke strong reactions, reflecting a broader discourse about athlete activism and respect for national symbols within sports.