Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries Players Exit Court During National Anthem Ahead of WNBA Finals

Players from the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries left the court during the national anthem prior to Game 1 of the WNBA Finals. It is uncertain whether their departure was coordinated, but the Dream previously protested the anthem.

WNBA analyst Emily Austin criticized the behavior of both teams, labeling it as ‘disgraceful’ before the game. Fans had filled the Ballhalla Arena in San Francisco, excited to see Game 1, where the Valkyries faced the Dream after a successful playoff run.

Despite a strong start, the Atlanta Dream lost the closely contested game 68-64 to the Valkyries. The Dream led by five points heading into the fourth quarter but scored just eight points in that period, allowing Golden State to secure a 1-0 lead in the series.

Fans expressed frustration with the Dream's inability to maintain their fourth-quarter advantage, having held a nine-point lead earlier in the game.

Notably, Angel Reese of the Dream went scoreless in the second half, contributing to the loss. Gabby Williams from the Valkyries led her team with 26 points, while Allisha Gray, who was initially uncertain to play, scored 19 points for Atlanta. The Valkyries’ victory marks their first WNBA Finals appearance since their inception in 2025, making this matchup significant for both teams.